Ellis Lake Dam dam
Ellis Lake Dam
Ellis Lake Dam, located in Clarksville, Ohio, is a privately owned earthen structure designed by the USDA and SCS in 1986 for recreational purposes. It stands at a height of 30.7 feet and spans 530 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 38.2 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.8 acres. The dam, situated on a tributary to Todd Fork, is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio and undergoes regular state inspections to ensure its fair condition and low hazard potential.
Despite its low hazard potential, Ellis Lake Dam plays a critical role in providing recreational opportunities in the area. With a normal storage capacity of 21.4 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.06 square miles, the dam serves as a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor activities. The dam's condition is assessed to be fair, and it has a relatively low risk profile, underscoring its importance in both water management and leisure activities for the community.
Maintaining the integrity of Ellis Lake Dam is essential for ensuring the safety and enjoyment of its recreational users. With regular inspections and adherence to state regulations, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively. As a key feature in the local landscape, Ellis Lake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and public recreation, providing a valuable resource for residents and visitors alike.
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 Ellis Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Massies Creek At Wilberforce Oh | 41 cfs | → |
| Little Miami River Near Oldtown Oh | 94 cfs | → |
| Holes Creek Near Kettering Oh | 12 cfs | → |
| O'Bannon Creek Near Loveland Oh | 10 cfs | → |
| Great Miami River At Franklin Oh | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Great Miami River Below Miamisburg Oh | 5,170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ellis Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Caesar Creek State Park - Campground Ramp
- Caesars Creek North Pool Boat Ramp
- Caesars Creek Haines Boat Ramp
- Caesars Creek Furnas Shores Boat Ramp
- Caesar Creek Wellman Meadows Boat Ramp
- Ute Trail New Jasper Township
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Ellis 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 Ellis Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ellis 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 Ellis Lake Dam.