Camp Otterbein Lake Dam dam
Camp Otterbein Lake Dam
Camp Otterbein Lake Dam, located in Hocking, Ohio, is a private earth dam built in 1965 by the USDA NRCS for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 35 feet and a length of 375 feet, has a normal storage capacity of 30.8 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 451 cubic feet per second. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as fair, with the last inspection conducted in March 2017.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with uncontrolled outlet gates, and it is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The dam is associated with Camp Otterbein Lake and is situated on a tributary to Fivemile Creek. Its risk assessment is moderate, with a risk management plan yet to be fully developed. The dam's location makes it a valuable resource for water recreation enthusiasts and climate advocates interested in sustainable water resource management practices in the region.
Overall, Camp Otterbein Lake Dam serves as a vital structure for both recreational and regulatory purposes in the area, showcasing a blend of natural and engineered features that contribute to the local ecosystem's resilience. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Camp Otterbein Lake Dam play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water bodies for future generations.
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 Camp Otterbein Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hocking River At Enterprise Oh | 153 cfs | → |
| Monday Creek At Doanville Oh | 48 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Rockbridge Oh | 32 cfs | → |
| Sunday Creek Below Millfield Oh | 54 cfs | → |
| Hocking River At Athens Oh | 263 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Bolin Mills Oh | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Camp Otterbein Lake Dam.
Track Camp Otterbein 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 Camp Otterbein Lake Dam
Where does the data for Camp Otterbein 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 Camp Otterbein Lake Dam.