Trail Lake Dam dam
Trail Lake Dam
Trail Lake Dam, located in Portage, Ohio, serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area. Owned by William Gressard, this private dam is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and is designed for the primary purpose of creating a fish and wildlife pond. Standing at a height of 11.9 feet and with a storage capacity of 183.1 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and supporting aquatic ecosystems in the region.
Despite its importance, Trail Lake Dam is currently in poor condition according to a 2017 assessment. With a low hazard potential, regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's last inspection in 2017 revealed its poor condition, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential repairs to prevent any potential risks or hazards in the future. Additionally, the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan in place, raising concerns about preparedness for any unforeseen events.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, it is essential to monitor and address the condition of dams like Trail Lake Dam to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the preservation of natural habitats. By staying informed about its maintenance and potential risks, stakeholders can work towards safeguarding this important water infrastructure and promoting sustainable water management practices for the benefit of both people and the environment.
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 Trail Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brandywine Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 18 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 4 cfs | → |
| Cuyahoga River At Old Portage Oh | 501 cfs | → |
| Cuyahoga River At Jaite Oh | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cuyahoga River At Hiram Rapids Oh | 198 cfs | → |
| Chippewa Creek In Chippewa Met Pk Near Brecksville | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Trail Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hudson Springs Park
- Lake Hodgson
- Palm Road Brimfield Township
- West Branch State Park - Fishermans Lot
- Canfield Road 2300, Sawyerwood
- West Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Trail 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 Trail Lake Dam
Where does the data for Trail 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 Low 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 Trail Lake Dam.