Paint Creek Dam dam
Paint Creek Dam
Paint Creek Dam, also known as Paint Creek Lake, is a rockfill dam located in Bainbridge, Ohio, along the Paint Creek river. Built in 1973 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, fish and wildlife pond management, recreation, and water supply. With a structural height of 118 feet and a hydraulic height of 99 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 145,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,190 acres.
The dam is equipped with a controlled spillway and features outlet gates for water discharge. While the hazard potential is classified as high, the dam's risk management measures include regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency action plans to mitigate potential risks. The US Army Corps of Engineers works closely with local emergency managers to ensure public safety and raise awareness about the dam's functions and potential hazards. Despite the risks associated with dam operations, Paint Creek Dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and protecting downstream areas from flooding.
Overall, Paint Creek Dam exemplifies the importance of infrastructure in water resource management and climate resilience. As a key component in flood risk reduction and water supply maintenance, the dam's operation and maintenance practices demonstrate a commitment to public safety and environmental stewardship. Continued monitoring and improvements are essential to ensure the dam's effectiveness in managing water resources and mitigating potential risks associated with severe weather events and changing climate conditions.
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 Paint Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Fork Near Barretts Mills Oh | 10 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek Near Greenfield Oh | 74 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek Near Bourneville Oh | 223 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek At Chillicothe Oh | 358 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Chillicothe Oh | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Piketon Oh | 4,110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paint Creek Dam.
Track Paint Creek 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 Paint Creek Dam
Where does the data for Paint Creek 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 Paint Creek Dam.