Darrow Lake Dam dam
Darrow Lake Dam
Darrow Lake Dam, located in Guernsey, Ohio, is a private-owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1961 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and stretches 450 feet in length. The dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 26 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres, with a drainage area of 0.16 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 was deemed poor, signaling a need for maintenance and potential upgrades. The dam has uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 157 cubic feet per second. While it is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, the risk assessment for Darrow Lake Dam is rated as moderate.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Darrow Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study of a recreational structure with historical significance. As efforts to maintain and improve its condition continue, the dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of water management, environmental stewardship, and public safety in the region.
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 Darrow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscarawas River At Newcomerstown Oh | 1,910 cfs | → |
| Wills Creek At Cambridge Oh | 59 cfs | → |
| Muskingum River Near Coshocton Oh | 4,230 cfs | → |
| Leatherwood Creek Near Kipling Oh | 14 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Coshocton Oh | 6 cfs | → |
| Stillwater Creek At Tippecanoe Oh | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Darrow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Salt Fork State Park - North Salem Ramp
- Morning Glory Ramp
- Salt Fork State Park - Rocky Fork Access
- Salt Fork State Park - Cabin Area
- Salt Fork State Park - Salt Fork Marina
- Salt Fork State Park - Campground Ramp
Track Darrow 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 Darrow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Darrow 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 Low 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 Darrow Lake Dam.