Buckeye Lake Dam dam
Buckeye Lake Dam
Buckeye Lake Dam in Ohio, completed in 1832, stands as a historic structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Owned by the State of Ohio and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, the earth dam is situated in Licking County and spans 21,700 feet in length with a height of 14.5 feet. The dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources, providing a surface area of 2,800 acres for recreational activities and holding a maximum storage capacity of 20,000 acre-feet.
Despite its age, Buckeye Lake Dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition and is subject to regular inspections, with the last conducted in March 2019. The dam poses a high hazard potential due to its size and location near the tributary to the South Fork Licking River, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance. With a drainage area of 44.1 square miles and a maximum discharge of 20,700 cubic feet per second, the dam's critical role in flood control and water management for the region cannot be overstated.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Buckeye Lake Dam to be a fascinating example of early 19th-century engineering and its continued relevance in modern water management practices. As a vital recreational hub in Ohio, the dam's historical significance and functional importance highlight the intersection of human development and natural resource conservation. With its high hazard potential and strategic location, Buckeye Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities in safeguarding our water infrastructure 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 Buckeye Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Licking River Near Hebron Oh | 43 cfs | → |
| South Fork Licking River At Kirkersville Oh | 11 cfs | → |
| South Fork Licking River At Heath Oh | 66 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Cr. Bl. Wilson Street At Newark Oh | 77 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Granville Oh | 32 cfs | → |
| N. Fk. Licking River At E. Main St. At Newark Oh | 92 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buckeye Lake Dam.
Track Buckeye 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 Buckeye Lake Dam
Where does the data for Buckeye 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 Buckeye Lake Dam.