Imars Lake Dam dam
Imars Lake Dam
Imars Lake Dam, located in Lester, Ohio, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1966, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a height of 21.8 feet and a length of 470 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities on its 9-acre surface area.
Despite its recreational appeal, Imars Lake Dam presents significant hazard potential with a poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in September 2018. The dam's condition and emergency preparedness are areas of concern, as it lacks an emergency action plan and updated inundation maps. With a high risk potential, stakeholders must prioritize risk management measures and ensure the safety of the surrounding community in the event of a dam failure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Imars Lake Dam serves as both a recreational haven and a critical infrastructure in need of attention and maintenance. As efforts continue to improve its condition and emergency preparedness, the dam remains a focal point for outdoor activities and a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Imars 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 | → |
| West Branch Rocky River At West View Oh | 79 cfs | → |
| East Branch Rocky River Near Strongsville Oh | 30 cfs | → |
| Baker Creek At Olmstead Falls Oh | 4 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Tributary To W B Rocky R Near Berea Oh | 0 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Imars 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
- New London Reservoir Park/Campground
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Aurora Pond
- Charles Mill Lake
- Deer Creek Reservoir
- Clear Fork Reservoir
- Berlin Lake
Paddle runs
Track Imars 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 Imars Lake Dam
Where does the data for Imars 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 Imars Lake Dam.