Rutledge Lake Dam dam
Rutledge Lake Dam
Rutledge Lake Dam, located in Tuscarawas, Ohio, is a significant earth dam completed in 1951 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at 32.3 feet in height and has a length of 602 feet, creating a storage capacity of 109 acre-feet of water. Despite being privately owned, the dam is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
With a fair condition assessment as of July 2020, Rutledge Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance and risk management measures. The dam overlooks a tributary to Beaverdam Creek and serves as a recreational hub for the local community, offering a surface area of 7.5 acres for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years, its emergency action plan and risk assessment protocols are under review to meet safety guidelines.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Rutledge Lake Dam to be a fascinating structure in Ohio's scenic landscape, blending both practical utility and recreational appeal. As a privately-owned earth dam, its historical significance, regulatory oversight, and potential risks underscore the delicate balance between water management for recreation and environmental protection. With ongoing inspections and risk assessments, Rutledge Lake Dam remains a focal point for both local residents and visitors seeking to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this water resource in Tuscarawas County.
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 Rutledge Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscarawas River At New Philadelphia Oh | 1,360 cfs | → |
| Indian Fork Bl Atwood Dam Near New Cumberland Oh | 58 cfs | → |
| Huff Run At Mineral City Oh | 16 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek At Strasburg Oh | 265 cfs | → |
| Mcguire Creek Near Leesville Oh | 41 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek At Waynesburg Oh | 242 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rutledge Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Atwood Lake Boat Launch
- Beach City Dam Launch Ramp
- County Rd 6 Ramp
- Tappan Park Launch Ramp
- Salt Fork State Park - Rocky Fork Access
- Salt Fork State Park - North Salem Ramp
Campgrounds
- Atwood Lake Campground (Main Gate)
- Petersburg Boat Landing
- Abc Country Camping And Cabins
- Harrison Hills Campground
- Pride Valley Campgrounds
- Forest Hills Lake Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Rutledge 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 Rutledge Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rutledge 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 Rutledge Lake Dam.