Lake Cha-Vel Dam dam
Lake Cha-Vel Dam
Lake Cha-Vel Dam, located in Glenmoor, Ohio, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1950, the earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and spans 534 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 155 acre-feet. Situated on Longs Run, the dam has a drainage area of 0.34 square miles and a surface area of 10 acres, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities.
Despite its recreational appeal, Lake Cha-Vel Dam has been assessed as having a significant hazard potential and poor condition as of June 2019. Inspections are conducted every five years to monitor its safety and structural integrity. The dam is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that it meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Cha-Vel Dam offers a valuable case study in dam management and maintenance. With its location in Columbiana County and proximity to the Pittsburgh District, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible stewardship of water resources and infrastructure for both recreational and safety purposes. As efforts are made to address the dam's condition and potential risks, it highlights the ongoing challenges and considerations in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of water systems in the face of evolving climate conditions.
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 Lake Cha-Vel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 452 cfs | → |
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 82 cfs | → |
| Kings Creek At Weirton | 22 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek At Moffatts Mill | 82 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Beaver Falls | 4,540 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Wampum | 3,260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Cha-Vel Dam.
Track Lake Cha-Vel 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 Lake Cha-Vel Dam
Where does the data for Lake Cha-Vel 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 Lake Cha-Vel Dam.