Lake Copeland Dam dam
Lake Copeland Dam
Lake Copeland Dam, located in Columbiana, Ohio, is a private-owned earth dam completed in 1956 for recreational purposes. With a height of 27.8 feet and a storage capacity of 261.8 acre-feet, the dam creates a 130.1-acre lake area for various water activities. The dam is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure public safety.
Despite its recreational value, Lake Copeland Dam poses a significant hazard potential due to its poor condition as assessed in May 2019. The dam's maintenance and emergency preparedness measures are crucial factors in mitigating risks associated with its operation. Furthermore, the dam has a history of modifications or improvements, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and management to uphold safety standards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Copeland Dam serves as a vital structure in the local watershed, tributary to the East Branch Middle Fork Little Beaver Creek. Understanding the dam's design, significance, and potential risks contributes to the broader conversation on water management and climate resilience in the region. As an integral part of the Pittsburgh District's water infrastructure, Lake Copeland Dam highlights the intersection of human development, environmental stewardship, and public safety in maintaining sustainable water resources 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 Lake Copeland Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mahoning River At Lowellville Oh | 1,440 cfs | → |
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 383 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Below West Ave At Youngstown Oh | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Bl Berlin Dam Nr Berlin Center Oh | 81 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Wampum | 2,630 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River At Pricetown Oh | 308 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Copeland Dam.
Boat launches
- Bessemer Lake
- Jim Kenney Park
- Berlin Lake Boat Ramp
- Ohioville Borough
- Lake Milton State Park - Robinson Point Ramp
- Lake Milton State Park Ramp
Campgrounds
- Guilford Lake State Park
- Beaver Creek State Park
- Mill Creek - Berlin Reservoir
- Tomlinson Run State Park
- Pride Valley Campgrounds
- Harts Content Campground
Paddle runs
Track Lake Copeland 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 Copeland Dam
Where does the data for Lake Copeland 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 Copeland Dam.