Oberlin Upground Reservoir dam
Oberlin Upground Reservoir
The Oberlin Upground Reservoir, located in Lorain, Ohio, is a vital water supply structure designed by Burgess & Niple in 1960. Owned by the local government, this offstream reservoir serves as a crucial source of water for the city of Oberlin, with a storage capacity of 1070 acre-feet and a surface area of 54 acres. The dam, standing at a height of 20 feet and stretching 6156 feet in length, plays a significant role in maintaining the water supply for the community.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, the Oberlin Upground Reservoir undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of September 2018, the reservoir is subject to a five-year inspection frequency to assess any potential risks and necessary maintenance. Despite its age, the reservoir continues to serve its primary purpose of providing water supply to the region, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring water resources in the face of climate challenges.
As climate change impacts water resources worldwide, the Oberlin Upground Reservoir stands as a testament to the critical infrastructure needed to secure a reliable water supply. With its earth dam structure and regulated state jurisdiction, the reservoir serves as a lifeline for the community, emphasizing the need for continued investment in sustainable water management practices. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, the Oberlin Upground Reservoir serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between water resources, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship in the face of a changing climate.
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 Oberlin Upground Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Elyria Oh | 106 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Near Vermilion Oh | 115 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rocky River At West View Oh | 79 cfs | → |
| Baker Creek At Olmstead Falls Oh | 4 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 Oberlin Upground Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Hot Waters Boat Ramp
- Vermilion Boat Launch
- Cleveland Road East Vermilion Township
- New London Reservoir Park/Campground
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
Fishing spots
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Charles Mill Lake
- Aurora Pond
- Beaver Creek Upground Reservoir
- Clear Fork Reservoir
- Bucyrus Reservoirs
Paddle runs
Track Oberlin Upground Reservoir 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 Oberlin Upground Reservoir
Where does the data for Oberlin Upground Reservoir 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 High 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 Oberlin Upground Reservoir.