Twin Lakes Upper Dam dam
Twin Lakes Upper Dam
Twin Lakes Upper Dam, located in Columbus, Ohio, was completed in 1927 and serves as a vital resource for recreation in the area. The dam stands at a height of 24.7 feet and has a storage capacity of 61 acre-feet, with a surface area of 3.5 acres. It is situated on the Bliss Run river and is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, ensuring proper inspection, permitting, and enforcement protocols are in place.
Despite its significant hazard potential, with a condition assessment rated as poor, Twin Lakes Upper Dam remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's inspection frequency of every five years and its last inspection in December 2020 provide insight into its current state. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1150 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow in the area and mitigating potential risks associated with flooding.
As water resource management becomes increasingly important in the face of climate change, Twin Lakes Upper Dam serves as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities that come with maintaining essential infrastructure. With its historical significance and recreational value, the dam continues to be a focal point for both local residents and visitors interested in the intersection of water resources and climate resilience.
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 Twin Lakes Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Scioto River At Columbus Oh | 598 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek At Rees Oh | 182 cfs | → |
| Olentangy River At J H Herrick Dr At Columbus Oh | 265 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At 5th Ave At Columbus Oh | 371 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek At Central College Oh | 155 cfs | → |
| Scioto River Near Commercial Point Oh | 1,100 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Twin Lakes Upper Dam.
Boat launches
- Scioto River - Lower Scioto Park And Boat Launch
- Dublin Road 853, Columbus
- Griggs Reservoir - Marina
- Hoover Reservoir - Hoover Marina
- Hoover Reservoir - Boat Stake Area B
- Hoover Reservoir - Boat Stake Area D
Campgrounds
- Summer Camp Job
- Camp Ken-Jockety & Elam Environmental Center
- Lazy River At Granville
- Recreation Unlimited
Track Twin Lakes Upper 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 Twin Lakes Upper Dam
Where does the data for Twin Lakes Upper 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 Twin Lakes Upper Dam.