East Branch Black River Dam No. 2 dam
East Branch Black River Dam No. 2
East Branch Black River Dam No. 2, located in Lorain, Ohio, is a concrete dam primarily used for recreation purposes, with a height of 15 feet and a length of 120 feet. The dam holds a storage capacity of 88.2 acre-feet and is situated on the East Branch Black River, within the jurisdiction of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Despite its recreational purpose, the dam is classified as having significant hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in poor condition as of the last inspection in September 2018.
The dam, owned by a non-listed entity, is regulated by the state and subject to periodic inspections, enforcement, and permitting by the Department of Natural Resources. While the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years, its condition assessment raises concerns about its ability to withstand potential risks and emergencies. With a drainage area of 222 square miles and a maximum discharge of 1052 cubic feet per second, the East Branch Black River Dam No. 2 plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality for both recreational and environmental purposes.
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 East Branch Black River Dam No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Elyria Oh | 92 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Trib To W B Rocky R Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 1 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rocky River At West View Oh | 68 cfs | → |
| Baker Creek At Olmstead Falls Oh | 4 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 East Branch Black River Dam No. 2.
Boat launches
- Hot Waters Boat Ramp
- Vermilion Boat Launch
- Cleveland Road East Vermilion Township
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
- New London Reservoir Park/Campground
Fishing spots
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Aurora Pond
- Charles Mill Lake
- Beaver Creek Upground Reservoir
- Clear Fork Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track East Branch Black River Dam No. 2 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 East Branch Black River Dam No. 2
Where does the data for East Branch Black River Dam No. 2 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 East Branch Black River Dam No. 2.