Hoover Dam dam
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam, located in Ohio along the Big Walnut Creek, stands as a testament to engineering excellence and foresight in water resource management. Built in 1956 by Burgess and Niple, Ltd., this earth dam with a height of 85.5 feet serves primarily as a water supply source for the region. With a storage capacity of 145,079 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 72,510 acre-feet, Hoover Dam plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability for the community.
The dam's hazard potential is rated as high, but its condition assessment is considered fair as of the last inspection in June 2020. Despite the risks associated with its operation, Hoover Dam continues to provide vital water resources to Franklin County, Ohio. With a surface area of 3,073 acres and a drainage area of 190 square miles, the dam plays a critical role in managing water flow and storage in the region, contributing to both water supply and flood control efforts.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, Hoover Dam is a key infrastructure project that underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climates. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, the significance of Hoover Dam lies not only in its engineering marvel but also in its role in safeguarding water security for the community it serves.
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 Hoover Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Walnut Creek At Central College Oh | 155 cfs | → |
| Alum Creek At Africa Oh | 14 cfs | → |
| Olentangy River Near Worthington Oh | 404 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek At Sunbury Oh | 19 cfs | → |
| Olentangy River At J H Herrick Dr At Columbus Oh | 265 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At 5th Ave At Columbus Oh | 371 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hoover Dam.
Boat launches
- Hoover Reservoir - Hoover Marina
- Hoover Reservoir - Boat Stake Area B
- Hoover Reservoir - Boat Stake Area D
- Hoover Reservoir - Baldridge Boat Ramp
- Hoover Reservoir - Oxbow Road Launch Ramp
- Alum Creek State Park - New Galena
Campgrounds
- Summer Camp Job
- Recreation Unlimited
- Camp Marengo
- Lazy River At Granville
- Camp Ken-Jockety & Elam Environmental Center
- Camp Falling Rock Boy Scout Reservation
Track Hoover 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 Hoover Dam
Where does the data for Hoover 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 Hoover Dam.