Forbidden Lake Dam dam
Forbidden Lake Dam
Forbidden Lake Dam, located in Plain City, Ohio, is a private earth dam that was completed in 1998 for recreational purposes. Managed by BBC&M Engineering, the dam stands at 13 feet high and spans 2500 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 194.7 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Robinson Run and has a surface area of 21.5 acres, providing a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Owned privately and regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Forbidden Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in November 2020. The dam has a drainage area of 0.08 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 15 cfs, making it a relatively safe structure. While it does not have a designated spillway, the dam is equipped with necessary safety features to prevent overtopping during heavy rainfall events.
With its serene location and recreational purpose, Forbidden Lake Dam offers a picturesque retreat for those interested in water resources and climate dynamics. Its well-maintained condition, low hazard potential, and beautiful surroundings make it an ideal destination for enthusiasts looking to appreciate the intersection of infrastructure and nature.
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 Forbidden Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek Near Bellepoint Oh | 152 cfs | → |
| Scioto River Below O Shaughnessy Dam Nr Dublin Oh | 536 cfs | → |
| Little Darby Creek At West Jefferson Oh | 74 cfs | → |
| Olentangy River Near Worthington Oh | 404 cfs | → |
| Scioto River Near Prospect Oh | 343 cfs | → |
| Olentangy River Near Delaware Oh | 330 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forbidden Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Twin Lakes Boat Ramp
- Riverside Drive Concord Township
- Griggs Reservoir - Marina
- Delaware State Park - South/South Of Ramp
- Delaware State Park - South Ramp
- Berlin Township
Campgrounds
Track Forbidden 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 Forbidden Lake Dam
Where does the data for Forbidden 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 Forbidden Lake Dam.