Hickory Lake Dam dam
Hickory Lake Dam
Hickory Lake Dam, also known as Kohart Lake, is a privately-owned structure located in Defiance, Ohio. It was designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1964 for recreational purposes. The dam is an earth-type structure with a height of 26 feet and a length of 365 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 571.1 acre-feet. The dam is situated on a tributary to the Auglaize River and is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio.
Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Hickory Lake Dam remains a popular spot for recreational activities, with a surface area of 26.3 acres and a normal storage capacity of 132.2 acre-feet. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 5780 cubic feet per second. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one taking place in April 2017, and the dam is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure public safety.
In the midst of concerns about climate change and water resource management, the preservation and maintenance of structures like Hickory Lake Dam are crucial. With a moderate risk assessment rating, there is a need for ongoing risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community and environment. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, staying informed about the state of dams like Hickory Lake is essential for promoting sustainable water management practices and protecting our natural 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 Hickory Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Auglaize River Near Defiance Oh | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Little Flatrock Creek Near Junction Oh | 3 cfs | → |
| Maumee River Near Defiance Oh | 3,830 cfs | → |
| Little Auglaize River At Melrose Oh | 150 cfs | → |
| Tiffin River Near Evansport Oh | 246 cfs | → |
| Platter Creek Near Sherwood Oh | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hickory Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Five Mile Creek Wildlife Access
- Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area
- Oakwood Ramp
- West Main Street Ottawa
- County Road 63 Saint Joe
- Mary Jane Thurston State Park
Track Hickory 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 Hickory Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hickory 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 Hickory Lake Dam.