Slates Lake Dam dam
Slates Lake Dam
Located in Columbiana, Ohio, Slates Lake Dam is a private structure designed by Thomas B. Jones, SCS Area Engineer, in 1967 for recreational purposes along Sandy Creek. Standing at a height of 27.8 feet and with a length of 520 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and a surface area of 7.1 acres. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition, with the last inspection conducted in July 2020.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, Slates Lake Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state government, ensuring compliance with safety standards. While the dam has not undergone major modifications in recent years, its emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures are currently not specified. With a drainage area of 0.17 square miles and a maximum discharge of 8 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Slates Lake Dam fascinating due to its unique design, purpose, and location. As a recreational structure on Sandy Creek, the dam serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem while posing a significant hazard potential that requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance. With its history dating back to the 1960s and a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, Slates Lake Dam represents an important feature in the water infrastructure of Columbiana, Ohio.
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 Slates Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 69 cfs | → |
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 383 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek At Waynesburg Oh | 211 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Bl Berlin Dam Nr Berlin Center Oh | 81 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 Slates Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jim Kenney Park
- Berlin Lake Boat Ramp
- Ohioville Borough
- Lake Milton State Park - Robinson Point Ramp
- Lake Milton State Park Ramp
- Bessemer Lake
Campgrounds
- Guilford Lake State Park
- Pride Valley Campgrounds
- Beaver Creek State Park
- Harrison Hills Campground
- Mill Creek - Berlin Reservoir
- Abc Country Camping And Cabins
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Slates 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 Slates Lake Dam
Where does the data for Slates 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 Slates Lake Dam.