Rustic Lake Dam dam
Rustic Lake Dam
Rustic Lake Dam, located in Lorain, Ohio, was completed in 1964 and is primarily used for recreational purposes. The dam, designed by USDA NRCS, is classified as an Earth dam with a height of 20.9 feet and a length of 500 feet. It has a storage capacity of 83 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 7.3 acres. The dam is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 199 cubic feet per second. It has been assessed to have a low hazard potential and is currently in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in November 2018. The risk assessment for Rustic Lake Dam is moderate, with a rating of 3. Overall, the dam is well-maintained and poses minimal risk, making it a safe and enjoyable destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore the beautiful natural surroundings in Lorain, Ohio.
Despite being privately owned, the dam is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Its location near Wellington Creek and its stone core foundation contribute to its structural integrity. With a designated emergency action plan and regular risk assessments, Rustic Lake Dam is well-equipped to handle any potential threats or emergencies, ensuring the safety of both the dam and the surrounding community.
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 Rustic Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Creek At Miller Rd At Sterling Oh | 23 cfs | → |
| Black River At Elyria Oh | 92 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Near Vermilion Oh | 123 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rocky River At West View Oh | 68 cfs | → |
| Baker Creek At Olmstead Falls Oh | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rustic Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- New London Reservoir Park/Campground
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
- Vermilion Boat Launch
- Cleveland Road East Vermilion Township
- Hot Waters Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Charles Mill Lake
- Clear Fork Reservoir
- Bucyrus Reservoirs
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Beaver Creek Upground Reservoir
- Apple Valley Lake
Paddle runs
Track Rustic 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 Rustic Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rustic 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 Rustic Lake Dam.