Howard Farm Dam dam
Howard Farm Dam
Howard Farm Dam, located in Lucas, Ohio, along Wards Canal, stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and recreational opportunities. Completed in 2018, this earth dam reaches a height of 18 feet and spans 22,500 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 3,833 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam offers a surface area of 447 acres for visitors to enjoy various water-based activities.
Managed by local government authorities and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, Howard Farm Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Classified with a high hazard potential, the dam has been assessed as satisfactory, with the last inspection conducted in March 2019. Despite its risk level, the dam continues to provide a valuable resource for the community, offering both flood control benefits and recreational amenities for residents and visitors alike.
As a vital component of the water infrastructure in the region, Howard Farm Dam serves as a symbol of the delicate balance between water resource management and climate adaptation. With its strategic location along Wards Canal and the Detroit District, the dam not only provides critical storage capacity but also enhances the overall resilience of the area. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Howard Farm Dam play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the challenges of a changing climate.
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 Howard Farm Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Portage R. Near Elmore Oh | 179 cfs | → |
| Portage River At Woodville Oh | 133 cfs | → |
| Ottawa River At University Of Toledo Toledo Oh | 33 cfs | → |
| Wolf Creek At Holland Oh | 19 cfs | → |
| Sandusky River Near Fremont Oh | 399 cfs | → |
| Maumee River At Waterville Oh | 1,890 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howard Farm Dam.
Boat launches
- Corduroy Road 11073, Lucas County
- Toussaint Wildlife Area
- Cullen Park
- Hammond Dr Launch
- Howard Pinkley Landing
- Morin Point Street 3164, Erie Township
Campgrounds
- Sterling State Park
- State Park Camp Grounds
- Group Area 1 Camping Area G Group
- Group Area 2 Camping Area G
- Camping Area E
- Crystal Rock Campground
Track Howard Farm 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 Howard Farm Dam
Where does the data for Howard Farm 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 Howard Farm Dam.