Forest Lake Dam dam
Forest Lake Dam
Forest Lake Dam, located in Medina, Ohio, is a private earth dam completed in 1973 for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 29.7 feet and stretching 188 feet in length, the dam holds a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 12 acre-feet. It serves as a vital structure for the surrounding community, offering a surface area of 1.5 acres for recreational activities such as boating and fishing. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is marked as poor, prompting a closer inspection and potential maintenance.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, Forest Lake Dam is subject to state regulations and inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam is situated on a tributary to the West Branch Rocky River, providing essential water resources for the local ecosystem. With a maximum discharge capacity of 70 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and maintaining the ecological balance in the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the proper upkeep and maintenance of dams like Forest Lake are essential for sustainable water management practices.
In light of its poor condition assessment, Forest Lake Dam highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of downstream communities. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to advocate for the proper management of dams like Forest Lake to protect both the environment and public safety. By staying informed and engaged in the upkeep of vital water infrastructure, we can contribute to the sustainable management of water resources and help mitigate the impacts of climate change on our ecosystems.
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 Forest Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Creek At Miller Rd At Sterling Oh | 29 cfs | → |
| Cuyahoga River At Old Portage Oh | 442 cfs | → |
| East Branch Rocky River Near Strongsville Oh | 30 cfs | → |
| Tuscarawas River Above Barberton Oh | 27 cfs | → |
| Baldwin Creek At Strongsville Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Tributary To W B Rocky R Near Berea Oh | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forest Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
- Portage Lakes State Park - Long Lake
- Portage Lakes State Park - North Reservoir
- Portage Lakes State Park - Turkeyfoot
- Old State Park
- Portage Lakes State Park - C 1
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Aurora Pond
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Deer Creek Reservoir
- Charles Mill Lake
- Berlin Lake
- Clear Fork Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam
Where does the data for Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam.