General Motors Primary Lagoon dam
General Motors Primary Lagoon
General Motors Primary Lagoon, located in Independence, Ohio, is a privately-owned water supply dam completed in 1940 and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. The dam, primarily used for water supply, is an earth-type structure with a height of 30 feet and a length of 2300 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 198.4 acre-feet over a surface area of 22.9 acres. The dam's significant hazard potential is monitored through inspections conducted every five years, with the latest assessment in November 2017 rating its condition as fair.
Situated on the Maumee River offstream, General Motors Primary Lagoon serves as a vital resource for water management in Defiance County, Ohio. With a maximum discharge capacity of 100 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water levels and ensuring a stable supply for various purposes. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet state permitting and regulatory requirements, reflecting a commitment to maintaining its structural integrity and operational efficiency.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the General Motors Primary Lagoon presents an intriguing case study in sustainable water infrastructure management. Its role in supporting local water supply needs, coupled with adherence to regulatory standards and periodic inspections, showcases the importance of responsible dam maintenance in safeguarding water resources for both present and future generations.
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 General Motors Primary Lagoon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maumee River Near Defiance Oh | 1,760 cfs | → |
| Auglaize River Near Defiance Oh | 604 cfs | → |
| Tiffin River Near Evansport Oh | 181 cfs | → |
| Little Flatrock Creek Near Junction Oh | 1 cfs | → |
| South Turkeyfoot Creek Near Shunk Oh | 14 cfs | → |
| Platter Creek Near Sherwood Oh | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near General Motors Primary Lagoon.
Boat launches
- Five Mile Creek Wildlife Access
- Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area
- Oakwood Ramp
- West Main Street Ottawa
- Mary Jane Thurston State Park
- County Road 63 Saint Joe
Track General Motors Primary Lagoon 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 General Motors Primary Lagoon
Where does the data for General Motors Primary Lagoon 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 General Motors Primary Lagoon.