Lake Alma Dam dam
Lake Alma Dam
Lake Alma Dam, located in Vinton County, Ohio, is a state-owned structure managed by the Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1902, this earth dam stands at a height of 16.3 feet and spans 1500 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 490.4 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Lake Alma Dam is for recreation, offering a surface area of 65 acres for activities such as boating, fishing, and picnicking.
Despite its recreational appeal, Lake Alma Dam poses a high hazard potential and is currently rated in poor condition, with the last inspection conducted in November 2016. The dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state authorities, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Emergency action plans are in place, with periodic reviews to meet guidelines and ensure public safety in case of a potential failure. With its scenic location and essential role in water resource management, Lake Alma Dam serves as a vital asset for the City of Wellston and the surrounding community.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the maintenance and rehabilitation of dams like Lake Alma become increasingly crucial. With proper risk assessment, management measures, and regular inspections, the dam can continue to provide recreational opportunities while safeguarding against potential hazards. The collaboration between state and local agencies, as well as the involvement of the community, will be essential in ensuring the long-term resilience and safety of Lake Alma Dam for future generations of water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Lake Alma Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Raccoon Creek Near Ewington Oh | 18 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Bolin Mills Oh | 47 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Higby Oh | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek At Adamsville Oh | 11,600 cfs | → |
| Hocking River At Athens Oh | 272 cfs | → |
| Monday Creek At Doanville Oh | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Alma Dam.
Track Lake Alma 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 Lake Alma Dam
Where does the data for Lake Alma 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 Lake Alma Dam.