Margaret Creek Structure No. 5 dam
Margaret Creek Structure No. 5
Margaret Creek Structure No. 5, also known as Johnson/French Lake, is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Athens, Ohio. Constructed in 1970 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 29 feet and spans 600 feet in length, providing storage of up to 416.9 acre-feet of water. The dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Biddle Creek, with a drainage area of 1.68 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 9573 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, Margaret Creek Structure No. 5 has a significant hazard potential, although its condition assessment as of March 2017 was deemed satisfactory. Regular inspections occur every five years to ensure the dam's integrity and safety, with emergency action plans in place to mitigate any potential risks. The structure's moderate risk assessment rating underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to protect the surrounding community and water resources.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the critical role that Margaret Creek Structure No. 5 plays in managing flood risks and safeguarding the local environment in Athens, Ohio. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, this earth dam exemplifies the importance of proactive infrastructure development and maintenance to address evolving climate challenges. As efforts continue to enhance the dam's resilience and emergency response readiness, its impact on water resource management and climate adaptation in the region remains a key focus for stakeholders and regulators alike.
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 Margaret Creek Structure No. 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hocking River At Athens Oh | 288 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Bolin Mills Oh | 47 cfs | → |
| Sunday Creek Below Millfield Oh | 54 cfs | → |
| Monday Creek At Doanville Oh | 48 cfs | → |
| Shade River Near Chester Oh | 19 cfs | → |
| Little Raccoon Creek Near Ewington Oh | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Margaret Creek Structure No. 5.
Track Margaret Creek Structure No. 5 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 Margaret Creek Structure No. 5
Where does the data for Margaret Creek Structure No. 5 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 Significant 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 Margaret Creek Structure No. 5.