West Branch Channel Dam dam
West Branch Channel Dam
West Branch Channel Dam is a local government-owned structure located in Newton Falls, Ohio, along the Mahoning River West Branch. Designed by Lynn, Kittinger, and Noble, this gravity-type dam primarily serves the purpose of water supply, with a storage capacity of 156 acre-feet and a surface area of 15 acres. Despite its relatively low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2016 rated it as poor, highlighting the need for maintenance and improvement.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, West Branch Channel Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state authorities to ensure its safety and functionality. With a height of 15.5 feet and a length of 175 feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Trumbull County. Although the dam is in need of repair and has a history of modifications, it continues to provide essential water supply services to the local community.
In light of its significance for water supply and potential risks associated with its current condition, West Branch Channel Dam serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As efforts are made to address its maintenance needs and ensure its long-term sustainability, the dam remains a vital infrastructure element in the region's water management system, contributing to the resilience of the local ecosystem and community.
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 West Branch Channel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mahoning River At Pricetown Oh | 171 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek At Phalanx Station Oh | 122 cfs | → |
| West Branch Mahoning River At Wayland Oh | 99 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River At Leavittsburg Oh | 454 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Bl Berlin Dam Nr Berlin Center Oh | 101 cfs | → |
| Mosquito Creek Bl Mosquito Ck Dam Nr Cortland Oh | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Branch Channel Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Milton State Park Ramp
- Lake Milton State Park - Robinson Point Ramp
- West Ramp
- Berlin Lake Boat Ramp
- West Branch State Park - Fishermans Lot
- Lake Hodgson
Campgrounds
- West Branch State Park
- Kool Lakes Family Campground
- Camp Asbury
- Mill Creek - Berlin Reservoir
- Mosquito Lake State Park
- Punderson State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track West Branch Channel 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 West Branch Channel Dam
Where does the data for West Branch Channel 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 West Branch Channel Dam.