Forked Run Lake Dam dam
Forked Run Lake Dam
Forked Run Lake Dam, located in Long Bottom, Ohio, is a state-owned structure designed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for recreational purposes. Built in 1952, this earth dam stands at a height of 54.8 feet and has a storage capacity of 3,672 acre-feet, with a surface area of 138 acres and a drainage area of 8.7 square miles. The dam is situated along the Forked Run River and is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Despite its recreational purpose, Forked Run Lake Dam has a high hazard potential and has been assessed as being in poor condition as of 2017. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in 2019, and it meets guidelines for potential risk scenarios. While no spillway type or width is specified, the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 15,095 cubic feet per second. With an inspection frequency of every 5 years, the dam remains under state jurisdiction and oversight, with measures in place to manage any potential risks associated with its operation and maintenance.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Forked Run Lake Dam to be an intriguing structure due to its role in providing recreational opportunities while also serving as a vital component of water management in the region. With its significant storage capacity and location along the Forked Run River, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water supply management for the surrounding area. As efforts continue to monitor and maintain the dam's safety and integrity, its impact on the local ecosystem and community resilience in the face of changing climate conditions will be of particular interest to those passionate about water resource management and climate adaptation.
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 Forked Run Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shade River Near Chester Oh | 20 cfs | → |
| Little Kanawha River At Palestine | 291 cfs | → |
| Hocking River At Athens Oh | 272 cfs | → |
| Sunday Creek Below Millfield Oh | 54 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Bolin Mills Oh | 47 cfs | → |
| Muskingum River At Beverly Oh | 5,410 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forked Run Lake Dam.
Track Forked Run 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 Forked Run Lake Dam
Where does the data for Forked Run 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 Forked Run Lake Dam.