Sun Valley Lake Dam dam
Sun Valley Lake Dam
Sun Valley Lake Dam in Ross, Ohio, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and recreation. Built in 1955 with a height of 20 feet and a length of 1057 feet, this earth dam provides a storage capacity of 119 acre-feet and a surface area of 13.8 acres for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Situated in North Fork Village along a tributary to North Fork Paint Creek, Sun Valley Lake Dam offers a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment. With its primary purpose being recreation, the dam attracts visitors seeking outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. Despite the initial design plans not being followed by the USDA and SCS, the dam continues to serve as a valuable resource for the community and a symbol of the intersection between water resource management and climate resilience.
Managed by private owners, Sun Valley Lake Dam remains an integral part of the local landscape, providing not only recreational opportunities but also contributing to the overall water management strategy in the area. With its history dating back to the mid-20th century, the dam stands as a reminder of the importance of sustainable infrastructure development and the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its longevity and effectiveness in the face of evolving 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 Sun Valley Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Scioto River At Chillicothe Oh | 2,060 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek At Chillicothe Oh | 303 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek Near Bourneville Oh | 226 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek Near Greenfield Oh | 74 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Higby Oh | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Circleville Oh | 1,630 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sun Valley Lake Dam.
Track Sun Valley 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 Sun Valley Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sun Valley 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 Sun Valley Lake Dam.