Willowdale Lake Dam dam
Willowdale Lake Dam
Located in Stark County, Ohio, the Willowdale Lake Dam stands as a testament to engineering excellence, having been completed in 1924 by the prestigious AMBURSEN ENGINEERING CORPORATION from New York. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth dam stretches 350 feet in length and rises to a height of 27.3 feet, providing storage of up to 563 acre-feet of water. Nestled along the picturesque Nimisila Creek, this dam offers a surface area of 48.5 acres and a drainage area of 6.06 square miles, making it a vital resource for the surrounding community of Comet.
Regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Willowdale Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a significant hazard potential yet a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2015, this dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water management in the region. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike to appreciate its historical significance and contribution to the local ecosystem.
As a symbol of resilience and ingenuity, the Willowdale Lake Dam stands as a beacon of environmental stewardship and sustainable water resource management. With its rich history and vital role in the community, this dam is not just a structure but a testament to human innovation in harnessing the power of nature for the benefit of all. Whether for recreation or flood control, this earth dam continues to be a cornerstone of the region's water infrastructure, embodying the harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.
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 Willowdale Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Branch Nimishillen Creek At Canton Oh | 32 cfs | → |
| W Br Nimishillen Crk At Tuscarawas St At Canton Oh | 17 cfs | → |
| Tuscarawas River Above Barberton Oh | 27 cfs | → |
| Tuscarawas River At Massillon Oh | 310 cfs | → |
| E Branch Nimishillen Crk At Trump Ave Nr Canton Oh | 8 cfs | → |
| Nimishillen Creek At North Industry Oh | 161 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willowdale Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Portage Lakes State Park - C 6
- Portage Lakes State Park - Cg
- Portage Lakes State Park - 2 Na
- Portage Lakes State Park - C 1
- Old State Park
- Portage Lakes State Park - Turkeyfoot
Campgrounds
- Towpath Campsite
- Portage Lakes State Park
- Silver Springs - Stow
- Pride Valley Campgrounds
- Camp Christopher
- West Branch State Park
Fishing spots
- Deer Creek Reservoir
- Berlin Lake
- Aurora Pond
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Charles Mill Lake
- Clendening Lake
Paddle runs
Track Willowdale 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 Willowdale Lake Dam
Where does the data for Willowdale 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 Willowdale Lake Dam.