Rod Lake Dam dam
Rod Lake Dam
Rod Lake Dam, located in Jefferson County, Ohio, was completed in 1949 and stands at a height of 41 feet, with a length of 250 feet. Managed by a private owner, this earth dam on Mathews Run serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 7 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. Despite its scenic setting, the dam's condition assessment is deemed poor, with a significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance.
The dam is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The last inspection in June 2019 revealed the dam's poor condition, necessitating attention to ensure public safety and protect the surrounding environment. With its proximity to the city of Pravo and the oversight of state authorities, Rod Lake Dam is a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of recreational infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the complexities of dam management, Rod Lake Dam stands as a case study in balancing recreational benefits with the need for robust safety measures. With a significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, the dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining aging infrastructure and the importance of regular inspections to mitigate risks. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and integrity of Rod Lake Dam, it remains a key site for understanding the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and public safety in Ohio's landscape.
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 Rod Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 82 cfs | → |
| Kings Creek At Weirton | 22 cfs | → |
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 452 cfs | → |
| Mcguire Creek Near Leesville Oh | 41 cfs | → |
| Indian Fork Bl Atwood Dam Near New Cumberland Oh | 58 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek At Waynesburg Oh | 242 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rod Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jim Kenney Park
- Newburg Landing
- Ohioville Borough
- Atwood Lake Boat Launch
- Tappan Park Launch Ramp
- Raccoon State Park
Campgrounds
- Jefferson Lake State Park
- Tomlinson Run State Park
- Petersburg Boat Landing
- Harrison Hills Campground
- Beaver Creek State Park
- Abc Country Camping And Cabins
Fishing spots
Track Rod 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 Rod Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rod 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 Rod Lake Dam.