Chopper's Lake Dam dam
Chopper's Lake Dam
Chopper's Lake Dam, located in Coal Run, Ohio, is a private earth dam completed in 1948 for recreational purposes along the Sugar Run river. With a height of 22.8 feet and a length of 378 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 123.6 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 11 acres. Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, the dam is under state regulation and inspection by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Designed by JOHN LAUGHLIN & MAX FARLEY of the Ohio Department of Highways, Chopper's Lake Dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 70 cubic feet per second and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the Washington County area. The dam is situated within the jurisdiction of the state, with enforcement and permitting conducted by the Department of Natural Resources. Although the dam lacks an emergency action plan and updated risk assessment measures, it remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking recreational opportunities.
As a key feature in the landscape of southeastern Ohio, Chopper's Lake Dam offers a glimpse into the region's water management infrastructure and recreational offerings. Despite its age and condition challenges, the dam continues to provide a valuable resource for the local community and visitors alike, showcasing both the beauty and the importance of maintaining and managing water resources in a sustainable manner. For those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate issues, Chopper's Lake Dam serves as a case study in the ongoing efforts to balance recreation, safety, and environmental stewardship in dam management.
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 Chopper's Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muskingum River At Beverly Oh | 5,900 cfs | → |
| West Fork Duck Creek At Macksburg Oh | 14 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek Below Whipple Oh | 58 cfs | → |
| East Fork Duck Creek Near Harrietsville Oh | 21 cfs | → |
| Muskingum River At Mcconnelsville Oh | 5,420 cfs | → |
| Little Muskingum River At Bloomfield Oh | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chopper's Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Beverly Ramp
- Mcconnelsville Lock And Dam Ramp No.7
- Malta Ramp
- Belpre Public Ramp
- Cherry Blossom Lane Washington County
- Northwest Drive 598, Wood County
Campgrounds
- Woodgrove Campground H
- Area 31 Campsite
- Lane Farm Campground
- Burr Oak State Park
- Lamping Homestead Recreation Area
- Burr Oak Cove Campground
Track Chopper's 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 Chopper's Lake Dam
Where does the data for Chopper's 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 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 Chopper's Lake Dam.