Marshfield Lake Dam dam
Marshfield Lake Dam
Marshfield Lake Dam, located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, is a private earth dam completed in 1940 with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 15.3 feet and stretching 220 feet in length, the dam has a storage capacity of 82 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1.34 square miles. The dam is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite its significant hazard potential, Marshfield Lake Dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition as of the last inspection in September 2018. With the dam showing signs of wear and deterioration, its emergency action plan (EAP) has not been updated recently, raising concerns about its ability to effectively respond to potential hazards. The dam's risk management measures and inundation maps also appear to be lacking, highlighting the need for prompt attention and maintenance to mitigate any potential risks to the surrounding area and the Porter Creek stream.
In light of its historical significance and importance for recreation, stakeholders and authorities must prioritize the rehabilitation and maintenance of Marshfield Lake Dam to ensure its long-term safety and sustainability. By addressing its current poor condition, updating emergency protocols, and implementing proper risk management strategies, this dam can continue to provide valuable recreational opportunities while safeguarding the local ecosystem and community from potential hazards associated with its deteriorating state.
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 Marshfield Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky River Near Berea Oh | 144 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Trib To W B Rocky R Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 1 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 3 cfs | → |
| Abram Creek At Kolthoff Drive At Brook Park Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rocky River At West View Oh | 83 cfs | → |
| Baker Creek At Olmstead Falls Oh | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Marshfield Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hot Waters Boat Ramp
- Vermilion Boat Launch
- Cleveland Road East Vermilion Township
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Marshfield 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 Marshfield Lake Dam
Where does the data for Marshfield 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 Significant 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 Marshfield Lake Dam.