Kettenring Hills Lake Dam dam
Kettenring Hills Lake Dam
Nestled in the picturesque Kettenring Hills of Defiance, Ohio, the Kettenring Hills Lake Dam stands as a testament to both engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Completed in 1976, this private-owned earth dam serves a primary purpose of recreation, offering a serene 5.5-acre lake for water enthusiasts to enjoy. With a height of 30 feet and a storage capacity of 77 acre-feet, this dam provides not only a scenic backdrop but also essential water management for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources, the Kettenring Hills Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a low hazard potential and a fair condition assessment, this dam continues to be a reliable and vital part of the local water resource infrastructure. Situated in Independence, Ohio, this dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the tributary to the Maumee River, further emphasizing its importance in the region's water management system.
Despite its unassuming hazard potential, the Kettenring Hills Lake Dam remains a key component in the local ecosystem, providing not only recreational opportunities but also essential water storage and management capabilities. With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, this earth dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental conservation in the face of climate change and water resource challenges.
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 Kettenring Hills Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maumee River Near Defiance Oh | 3,830 cfs | → |
| Auglaize River Near Defiance Oh | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Tiffin River Near Evansport Oh | 246 cfs | → |
| Little Flatrock Creek Near Junction Oh | 3 cfs | → |
| Platter Creek Near Sherwood Oh | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Auglaize River At Melrose Oh | 150 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kettenring Hills Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area
- Five Mile Creek Wildlife Access
- Oakwood Ramp
- West Main Street Ottawa
- Mary Jane Thurston State Park
- County Road 63 Saint Joe
Track Kettenring Hills 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 Kettenring Hills Lake Dam
Where does the data for Kettenring Hills 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 Kettenring Hills Lake Dam.