Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper) dam
Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper)
Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper) in Polk, Ohio, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1956 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at 18.3 feet high and spans 360 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 88.4 acre-feet. Situated on a tributary to Orange Creek, the dam is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its satisfactory condition and significant hazard potential are properly managed.
The dam's location in Ashland County offers opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the 10-acre surface area created by the reservoir. Boasting a normal storage level of 45 acre-feet, Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper) provides a scenic backdrop for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1258 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding area.
Despite its age, Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper) continues to meet safety standards and is equipped with emergency action plans to address any potential risks. With its strategic location and role in water resource management, the dam serves as a vital asset for both local residents and visitors seeking to connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of a well-maintained recreational area in Ohio.
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 Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Creek At Miller Rd At Sterling Oh | 29 cfs | → |
| Black Fork Mohican River At Shelby Oh | 12 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork Mohican River At Bellville Oh | 93 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Near Vermilion Oh | 115 cfs | → |
| Black River At Elyria Oh | 106 cfs | → |
| Old Woman Creek At Berlin Rd Near Huron Oh | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper).
Track Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper) 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 Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper)
Where does the data for Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper) 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 Rhoads Lake Dam (Upper).