Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2 dam
Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2
Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2, located in Lorain, Ohio, is a significant water supply infrastructure managed by the local government. This earth dam structure, completed with a height of 11.5 feet and a storage capacity of 60.6 acre-feet, plays a crucial role in maintaining water resources for the region. The dam overlooks Plum Creek, serving as an offstream source crucial for water supply in the area.
Despite its importance, the dam is currently rated as being in poor condition, with a significant hazard potential. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one being in September 2018, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential improvements to ensure the safety and efficiency of the waterworks. With the state regulatory agency overseeing its operations and enforcement, the Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2 remains a key asset for water resource management in the region, albeit with a call for attention to its current condition and risk management measures.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2 presents an intriguing case study for infrastructure management and the challenges of balancing water supply needs with dam safety and maintenance requirements. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, ensuring the resilience and sustainability of such vital structures becomes increasingly crucial. With a clear understanding of its current condition and risk assessment, stakeholders can work towards implementing effective risk management measures and potentially enhancing the overall performance of the Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2 for the benefit of both the community and the 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 Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Vermilion River Near Vermilion Oh | 139 cfs | → |
| Black River At Elyria Oh | 103 cfs | → |
| Old Woman Creek At Berlin Rd Near Huron Oh | 36 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 4 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rocky River At West View Oh | 165 cfs | → |
| Baker Creek At Olmstead Falls Oh | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2.
Boat launches
- Vermilion Boat Launch
- Hot Waters Boat Ramp
- Cleveland Road East Vermilion Township
- New London Reservoir Park/Campground
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
- Bellevue Reservoir
Fishing spots
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Charles Mill Lake
- Beaver Creek Upground Reservoir
- Aurora Pond
- Clear Fork Reservoir
- Bucyrus Reservoirs
Paddle runs
Track Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2 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 Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2
Where does the data for Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2 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 Oberlin Waterworks Upground No. 1&2.