Reed Lake Dam dam
Reed Lake Dam
Reed Lake Dam, located in Carroll County, Ohio, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1970, this earth dam stands at 27 feet high and spans 373 feet in length, with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam has a storage capacity of 44 acre-feet, providing a surface area of 5 acres for recreational activities such as boating and fishing.
Despite its recreational value, Reed Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential, with a poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in July 2020. The dam's emergency action plan status is unclear, raising concerns about its ability to meet safety guidelines in the event of a high-risk situation. With a drainage area of 0.2 square miles and a maximum discharge of 176 cubic feet per second, the dam's condition and risk management measures require immediate attention to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and water resources.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Reed Lake Dam can appreciate its ecological significance as a tributary to Cold Springs Run. However, with its current poor condition and significant hazard potential, there is a pressing need for improved maintenance and risk management strategies to protect the dam's structural integrity and prevent potential disasters. As discussions around climate change and water resource management continue to evolve, Reed Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance and emergency preparedness in safeguarding our natural environment.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Reed Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mcguire Creek Near Leesville Oh | 38 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek At Waynesburg Oh | 211 cfs | → |
| Indian Fork Bl Atwood Dam Near New Cumberland Oh | 39 cfs | → |
| Huff Run At Mineral City Oh | 16 cfs | → |
| Nimishillen Creek At North Industry Oh | 161 cfs | → |
| Tuscarawas River At New Philadelphia Oh | 1,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Reed Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Atwood Lake Boat Launch
- Tappan Park Launch Ramp
- County Rd 6 Ramp
- Jim Kenney Park
- Beach City Dam Launch Ramp
- Newburg Landing
Campgrounds
- Harrison Hills Campground
- Abc Country Camping And Cabins
- Petersburg Boat Landing
- Atwood Lake Campground (Main Gate)
- Pride Valley Campgrounds
- Jefferson Lake State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Reed Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Reed Lake Dam
Where does the data for Reed Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Reed Lake Dam.