Eppley Pond Dam dam
Eppley Pond Dam
Eppley Pond Dam, located in Lorain, Ohio, is a private-owned structure designed by USDA NRCS to serve the primary purpose of recreation. Constructed in 1955, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans a length of 200 feet, providing a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet. Situated on the TRIB SALT CR tributary, Eppley Pond Dam is surrounded by a surface area of 3 acres and drains a small watershed area of 0.03 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, Eppley Pond Dam has a moderate risk rating of 3 due to its uncontrolled spillway type and outlet gates. The condition assessment is currently not rated, with no recent inspection date reported. While the dam is not under state regulation or jurisdiction, it is important to consider implementing risk management measures and emergency action plans to ensure the safety and integrity of this recreational structure in the face of potential climate-related challenges.
Overall, Eppley Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts, showcasing the unique design and purpose of a privately-owned earth dam in Ohio. With its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century, this dam serves as a recreational hub while also highlighting the importance of proactive risk assessment and emergency preparedness in the realm of dam safety and resilience.
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 Eppley Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Elyria Oh | 92 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 | → |
| Unnamed Tributary To W B Rocky R Near Berea Oh | 0 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Trib To W B Rocky R Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eppley Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
- Hot Waters Boat Ramp
- Vermilion Boat Launch
- New London Reservoir Park/Campground
- Cleveland Road East Vermilion Township
- Portage Lakes State Park - Long Lake
Fishing spots
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Aurora Pond
- Charles Mill Lake
- Clear Fork Reservoir
- Beaver Creek Upground Reservoir
- Deer Creek Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Eppley Pond 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 Eppley Pond Dam
Where does the data for Eppley Pond 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 Eppley Pond Dam.