Varkony Pond Dam dam
Varkony Pond Dam
Varkony Pond Dam, located in Unionvale, Ohio, is a privately owned structure managed by the Consolidation Coal Company. This earth dam, standing at a height of 49.2 feet, serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a storage capacity of 109 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.5 acres. The dam is situated on Harmon Creek in Harrison County, Ohio, and is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Despite its recreational appeal, Varkony Pond Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been rated in poor condition as of the last assessment in October 2017. With an inspection frequency of 5 years, the dam's maintenance and safety are closely monitored due to its critical location and the potential risks associated with its failure. The dam's emergency action plan and risk assessment measures are currently unclear, raising concerns for the surrounding community in case of any unforeseen events.
With its picturesque setting and significant storage capacity, Varkony Pond Dam stands as both a recreational destination and a potential concern for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its management and maintenance will be key in ensuring the safety of the area and the preservation of its natural surroundings amid changing environmental conditions.
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 Varkony Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Short Creek Near Dillonvale Oh | 82 cfs | → |
| Boggs Fork At Piedmont Oh | 16 cfs | → |
| Stillwater Creek At Piedmont Oh | 63 cfs | → |
| Wheeling Creek Below Blaine Oh | 60 cfs | → |
| Mcguire Creek Near Leesville Oh | 38 cfs | → |
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 69 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Varkony Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Tappan Park Launch Ramp
- Reynolds Road Launch Ramp
- County Rd 6 Ramp
- Kirkwood Ramp
- Barkcamp State Park
- Newburg Landing
Campgrounds
- Jefferson Lake State Park
- Petersburg Boat Landing
- Harrison Hills Campground
- Tomlinson Run State Park
- Abc Country Camping And Cabins
- Atwood Lake Campground (Main Gate)
Track Varkony Pond 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 Varkony Pond Dam
Where does the data for Varkony Pond 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 Varkony Pond Dam.