Lake Milton Dam dam
Lake Milton Dam
Lake Milton Dam, located in Newton Falls, Ohio, stands as a vital recreational resource along the Mahoning River. Built in 1916, the earth dam rises to a height of 52.5 feet and spans a length of 2840 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 46,605 acre-feet. Despite its aging infrastructure, the dam serves as a popular destination for water enthusiasts seeking activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming in its 1780-acre surface area.
Managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Lake Milton Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement measures to ensure public safety. However, with a hazard potential rated as high and a poor condition assessment in 2016, concerns have been raised about the dam's structural integrity. The last inspection in 2016 highlighted areas in need of improvement, prompting a five-year inspection frequency and an emergency action plan update in 2019 to mitigate risks associated with potential dam failure.
As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, the importance of maintaining Lake Milton Dam's structural stability becomes increasingly crucial. With a comprehensive risk management strategy and ongoing maintenance efforts, this iconic earth dam can continue to provide recreational opportunities while safeguarding the surrounding communities from potential flooding hazards.
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 Milton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mahoning River At Pricetown Oh | 171 cfs | → |
| West Branch Mahoning River At Wayland Oh | 99 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Bl Berlin Dam Nr Berlin Center Oh | 101 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River At Leavittsburg Oh | 454 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek At Phalanx Station Oh | 122 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Below West Ave At Youngstown Oh | 756 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Milton Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Milton State Park Ramp
- Lake Milton State Park - Robinson Point Ramp
- Berlin Lake Boat Ramp
- West Ramp
- West Branch State Park - Fishermans Lot
- Lake Hodgson
Campgrounds
- West Branch State Park
- Mill Creek - Berlin Reservoir
- Camp Asbury
- Kool Lakes Family Campground
- Mosquito Lake State Park
- Silver Springs - Stow
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Lake Milton 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 Milton Dam
Where does the data for Lake Milton 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 High 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 Milton Dam.