Acton Lake Dam dam
Acton Lake Dam
Acton Lake Dam, located in Butler County, Ohio, serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1956, this earth dam stands at a height of 62 feet and spans a length of 1092 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 20,673 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Four Mile Creek, offering a surface area of 560 acres for recreational activities such as boating and fishing.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, Acton Lake Dam is subject to regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as satisfactory in condition as of the last inspection in July 2017. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the dam is being continuously updated to meet guidelines and ensure preparedness in case of emergencies.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Acton Lake Dam to be a fascinating structure that not only provides recreational opportunities but also plays a crucial role in water storage and management in the region. With its rich history, design by VOGT, IVERS, SEAMAN AND ASSOCIATES, and ongoing state regulation and inspection, Acton Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in Ohio.
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 Acton Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sevenmile Creek At Camden Oh | 62 cfs | → |
| Great Miami River At Hamilton Oh | 2,730 cfs | → |
| East Fork Whitewater River At Abington | 200 cfs | → |
| Whitewater River At Brookville | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Twin Creek Near Germantown Oh | 165 cfs | → |
| East Fork Whitewater River At Richmond | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Acton Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Rush Run Wildlife Area
- Garr Hill Boat Ramp
- Dunlapsville Ramp Union County
- Hanna Creek Boat Ramp
- Whitewater Sp Ramp Union County
- Fairfield Boat Ramp
Track Acton 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 Acton Lake Dam
Where does the data for Acton 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 Acton Lake Dam.