Shelton Lake Dam dam
Shelton Lake Dam
Shelton Lake Dam, located in Perry County, Ohio, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1974 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 26.2 feet and has a length of 240 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 45 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the condition assessment of the dam is rated as poor, indicating a need for maintenance and repairs to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Managed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Shelton Lake Dam poses a moderate risk level with a risk assessment rating of 3. Although the dam has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, its emergency action plan (EAP) status is unclear, raising concerns about preparedness in the event of a potential failure. Given its location in a tributary to the South Fork Licking River and its recreational significance, it is crucial for stakeholders and authorities to address the dam's maintenance needs and emergency response planning to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and ecosystems.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the unique characteristics and challenges of Shelton Lake Dam present an opportunity to engage in discussions on dam safety, risk management, and environmental stewardship. By advocating for improved maintenance practices, regular inspections, and updated emergency preparedness measures, enthusiasts can contribute to safeguarding this vital water infrastructure and preserving the ecological balance of the region. The story of Shelton Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between water resources, climate resilience, and community safety, highlighting the importance of proactive measures to address potential risks and protect our natural environment 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 Shelton Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Licking River Near Hebron Oh | 40 cfs | → |
| Licking River Near Newark Oh | 189 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Rockbridge Oh | 42 cfs | → |
| Hocking River At Enterprise Oh | 194 cfs | → |
| North Fork Licking River At Utica Oh | 37 cfs | → |
| Wakatomika Creek Near Frazeysburg Oh | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shelton Lake Dam.
Track Shelton 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 Shelton Lake Dam
Where does the data for Shelton 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 Shelton Lake Dam.