Ross Lake Dam dam
Ross Lake Dam
Ross Lake Dam, located in Ross, Ohio, was completed in 1967 and is a key structure for recreation purposes. Managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, this earth dam stands at a height of 48.4 feet and has a storage capacity of 4,350 acre-feet. The dam, designed by Stanley Engineering Company, serves as a recreational hub, offering a surface area of 140 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its recreational significance, Ross Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in poor condition as of September 2017. With an inspection frequency of every five years, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in December 2016. The dam, located on Lick Run, is regulated by the state of Ohio and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure public safety and environmental protection. The dam's spillway type, outlet gates, and associated structures were not specified in the data, suggesting a need for further detail on the dam's infrastructure and risk management measures.
Overall, Ross Lake Dam serves as a crucial water resource for the community of Schrader, offering recreational opportunities while also highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and risk assessment for dam safety. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the condition and management of dams like Ross Lake Dam is essential for ensuring the resilience of our water infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Ross Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Scioto River At Chillicothe Oh | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek At Chillicothe Oh | 358 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Higby Oh | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek Near Bourneville Oh | 223 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Circleville Oh | 1,710 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Piketon Oh | 4,110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ross Lake Dam.
Track Ross 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 Ross Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ross 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 Ross Lake Dam.