Findley Lake Dam dam
Findley Lake Dam
Findley Lake Dam, located in Lorain, Ohio, serves as a vital water resource for the region, particularly for recreational purposes. Built in 1956, the dam stands at a height of 33 feet and has a storage capacity of 2,480 acre-feet. With a surface area of 84 acres and a drainage area of 6.6 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and ensuring water availability for various activities.
Despite its importance, Findley Lake Dam has been classified as having a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment. The last inspection in November 2018 highlighted the urgent need for maintenance and improvement. The dam is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. It is essential for climate and water resource enthusiasts to monitor the condition of the dam closely and advocate for necessary repairs to mitigate potential risks.
In the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water demands, the preservation and upkeep of Findley Lake Dam are paramount. With its proximity to Wellington Creek and its role in recreational activities, the dam plays a significant role in maintaining the water ecosystem in the area. Efforts to address the dam's poor condition and enhance its safety measures are crucial to safeguarding water resources and ensuring sustainable management 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 Findley Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Elyria Oh | 106 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Near Vermilion Oh | 115 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| Old Woman Creek At Berlin Rd Near Huron Oh | 8 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rocky River At West View Oh | 79 cfs | → |
| Baker Creek At Olmstead Falls Oh | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Findley Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- New London Reservoir Park/Campground
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
- Vermilion Boat Launch
- Cleveland Road East Vermilion Township
- Hot Waters Boat Ramp
- Bellevue Reservoir
Fishing spots
- Charles Mill Lake
- Clear Fork Reservoir
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Beaver Creek Upground Reservoir
- Bucyrus Reservoirs
- Aurora Pond
Paddle runs
Track Findley 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 Findley Lake Dam
Where does the data for Findley 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 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 Findley Lake Dam.