Decker Lake Dam dam
Decker Lake Dam
Decker Lake Dam, located in Piqua, Ohio, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1940 for recreational purposes along Patterson Run. With a height of 16.2 feet and a length of 305 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 163 acre-feet. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is currently in poor condition, as indicated by the last inspection in October 2019.
Owned and regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Decker Lake Dam faces challenges in maintaining its structural integrity and safety due to its age and condition. The dam's primary purpose of recreation highlights its importance in providing water resources for outdoor activities in the Miami County area. However, with a poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential, there is a pressing need for ongoing maintenance and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and ecosystem.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Decker Lake Dam can appreciate its historical significance as a recreational structure in Ohio, while also recognizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate potential risks. As a state-regulated dam with a significant hazard potential, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and environmental conservation in the face of changing climate conditions. With its location along Patterson Run and its storage capacity of 163 acre-feet, Decker Lake Dam remains a critical piece of infrastructure that requires continued attention and investment to safeguard its longevity and functionality 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 Decker Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Loramie Creek At Lockington Oh | 37 cfs | → |
| Great Miami River At Piqua Oh | 294 cfs | → |
| Greenville Creek Near Bradford Oh | 108 cfs | → |
| Loramie Creek Near Newport Oh | 3 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River At Pleasant Hill Oh | 260 cfs | → |
| Great Miami River At Sidney Oh | 179 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Decker Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lutman Road Launch Ramp
- Kiser Lake State Park - Sailing Club
- Lakeview Harbor Boat Ramp
- Moundwood Boat Ramp
- Indian Lake State Park - Campground Ramp
- Chippewa Marina
Track Decker 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 Decker Lake Dam
Where does the data for Decker 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 Significant 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 Decker Lake Dam.