Delaware Dam dam
Delaware Dam
Delaware Dam, also known as Delaware Lake, is a concrete structure located in Delaware County, Ohio, along the Olentangy River. Completed in 1951 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves as a vital flood risk reduction infrastructure, with a primary purpose of protecting the downstream population from catastrophic flooding. With a structural height of 92 feet and a hydraulic height of 66 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 132,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 96,000 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as a high hazard potential structure, USACE has implemented various risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of Delaware Dam. These measures include continuous operations and maintenance activities, detailed inspections during normal and flood conditions, implementation of an Interim Risk Reduction Measures Plan, and conducting emergency exercises and training for staff and local emergency responders. Additionally, the dam's Emergency Action Plan is regularly updated, and flood fighting materials are stored onsite for emergency response.
The risk associated with Delaware Dam is mainly attributed to erosion at the spillway/embankment and its proximity to the populous city of Columbus, Ohio. However, USACE's proactive approach to risk management and emergency response actions demonstrates their commitment to safeguarding the downstream community and infrastructure in the event of a dam failure, showcasing their dedication to maintaining the safety and resilience of this critical water resource infrastructure.
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 Delaware Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Olentangy River Near Delaware Oh | 330 cfs | → |
| Alum Creek Near Kilbourne Oh | 73 cfs | → |
| Scioto River Near Prospect Oh | 343 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Bellepoint Oh | 152 cfs | → |
| Alum Creek At Africa Oh | 14 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek At Sunbury Oh | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Delaware Dam.
Boat launches
- Delaware State Park - South Ramp
- Delaware State Park - South/South Of Ramp
- Panhandle Road Troy Township
- Delaware State Park - East Ramp
- Kilbourne Hand Launch
- Alum Creek State Park - Howard Road
Campgrounds
Track Delaware 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 Delaware Dam
Where does the data for Delaware 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 Delaware Dam.