Steeplechase Lake Dam dam
Steeplechase Lake Dam
Steeplechase Lake Dam, located in Tallmadge, Ohio, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1989, this earth dam stands at a height of 21.4 feet and has a storage capacity of 36 acre-feet. The dam is situated on a tributary to the Cuyahoga River, with a drainage area of 0.26 square miles.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment in 2017, Steeplechase Lake Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential. The dam has a history of regular inspections by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, with the most recent inspection taking place in June 2017. As a state-regulated structure, the dam undergoes permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the relevant state agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Steeplechase Lake Dam can appreciate its significance as a recreational feature in the region, while also recognizing the importance of maintaining its structural integrity to mitigate potential hazards. The dam's location within the Buffalo District highlights its role in managing water resources and the surrounding environment. As one of many dams contributing to the water infrastructure in Ohio, Steeplechase Lake Dam exemplifies the intersection of human engineering with natural landscapes, emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship of water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Steeplechase Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga River At Old Portage Oh | 442 cfs | → |
| Tuscarawas River Above Barberton Oh | 27 cfs | → |
| Brandywine Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 5 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| Cuyahoga River At Jaite Oh | 722 cfs | → |
| Chippewa Creek In Chippewa Met Pk Near Brecksville | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Steeplechase Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Canfield Road 2300, Sawyerwood
- Lakemore Park - James B Dodds Lakefront Park
- Palm Road Brimfield Township
- Lake Hodgson
- Hudson Springs Park
- Portage Lakes State Park - Long Lake
Campgrounds
- Silver Springs - Stow
- Camp Christopher
- Portage Lakes State Park
- West Branch State Park
- Camp Asbury
- Towpath Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Steeplechase 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 Steeplechase Lake Dam
Where does the data for Steeplechase 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 High 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 Steeplechase Lake Dam.