Jefferson Lake Dam dam
Jefferson Lake Dam
Jefferson Lake Dam in Ohio is a state-regulated structure owned by the Department of Natural Resources and managed for recreational purposes. Built in 1934 by the US Department of Interior, National Park Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 25.5 feet with a storage capacity of 321 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1480 cubic feet per second. Situated on the Town Fork river in Hammondsville, the dam is crucial for flood control and water resource management in Jefferson County, Ohio.
Despite its high hazard potential, Jefferson Lake Dam is in satisfactory condition as per the last inspection in June 2019. The dam has a drainage area of 7.42 square miles, a surface area of 18 acres, and a normal storage capacity of 189 acre-feet. With its picturesque surroundings and recreational opportunities, this dam serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like fishing, boating, and picnicking. However, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the safety and longevity of this vital water resource infrastructure.
As a focal point for water-based activities in the region, Jefferson Lake Dam plays a significant role in the community's social and economic well-being. With the potential to provide essential water supply, flood protection, and recreational opportunities, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience, understanding and appreciating the value of structures like Jefferson Lake Dam is crucial for promoting environmental stewardship and ensuring the long-term viability of our water systems.
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 Jefferson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 82 cfs | → |
| Kings Creek At Weirton | 22 cfs | → |
| Short Creek Near Dillonvale Oh | 88 cfs | → |
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 452 cfs | → |
| Mcguire Creek Near Leesville Oh | 41 cfs | → |
| Indian Fork Bl Atwood Dam Near New Cumberland Oh | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jefferson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Newburg Landing
- Jim Kenney Park
- Ohioville Borough
- Raccoon State Park
- Tappan Park Launch Ramp
- Atwood Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Jefferson Lake State Park
- Tomlinson Run State Park
- Petersburg Boat Landing
- Raccoon Creek State Park
- Harrison Hills Campground
- Beaver Creek State Park
Fishing spots
Track Jefferson 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 Jefferson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Jefferson 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 Jefferson Lake Dam.