Meadow Lake Dam dam
Meadow Lake Dam
Meadow Lake Dam, located in Louisville, Ohio, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 18.8 feet, this earth dam holds a storage capacity of 28.9 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4.5 acres. The dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of a tributary to the East Branch Nimishillen Creek, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1544 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, Meadow Lake Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition during the last inspection in November 2020, with a significant hazard potential identified. Despite the potential risks, the dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities for the local community and serves as a vital piece of infrastructure in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the intricate details of Meadow Lake Dam's design, purpose, and regulatory oversight offer a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. The dam not only provides recreational benefits but also plays a critical role in water management, highlighting the importance of responsible dam ownership and maintenance in the face of evolving climate challenges. With its significant hazard potential and ongoing risk management considerations, Meadow Lake Dam stands as a testament to the delicate balance between human development and environmental stewardship in the realm of water resource management.
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 Meadow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E Branch Nimishillen Crk At Trump Ave Nr Canton Oh | 8 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Nimishillen Creek At Canton Oh | 34 cfs | → |
| W Br Nimishillen Crk At Tuscarawas St At Canton Oh | 17 cfs | → |
| Nimishillen Creek At North Industry Oh | 161 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek At Waynesburg Oh | 219 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Bl Berlin Dam Nr Berlin Center Oh | 560 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Meadow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Palm Road Brimfield Township
- Lakemore Park - James B Dodds Lakefront Park
- Berlin Lake Boat Ramp
- Portage Lakes State Park - C 6
- Portage Lakes State Park - Cg
- Canfield Road 2300, Sawyerwood
Campgrounds
- Pride Valley Campgrounds
- Mill Creek - Berlin Reservoir
- Towpath Campsite
- Abc Country Camping And Cabins
- Harrison Hills Campground
- Guilford Lake State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Meadow 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 Meadow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Meadow 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 Meadow Lake Dam.