Memory Lake Dam dam
Memory Lake Dam
Memory Lake Dam, located in Newcomerstown, Ohio, is a privately owned dam regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. This Earth-type dam stands at a height of 27.4 feet and spans 339 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 16 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, providing a serene environment for water enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing and boating on the 1.6-acre surface area of Memory Lake.
Despite its recreational appeal, Memory Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential with a poor condition assessment as of July 2020. Regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure the dam's structural integrity and safety. In case of emergencies, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) may be prepared, although details on its status are currently unavailable. The dam's location, nestled in the Tuscarawas River watershed, underscores the importance of maintaining its safety and functionality to protect the surrounding environment and communities from potential risks.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, Memory Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the critical role that proper maintenance and regulation play in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water systems. With its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, this dam highlights the need for proactive measures to address aging infrastructure and mitigate potential hazards, safeguarding both the natural environment and the enjoyment of water enthusiasts for years to come.
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 Memory Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscarawas River At Newcomerstown Oh | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Muskingum River Near Coshocton Oh | 4,080 cfs | → |
| Stillwater Creek At Tippecanoe Oh | 116 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Coshocton Oh | 7 cfs | → |
| Brushy Fork Near Tippecanoe Oh | 35 cfs | → |
| Wills Creek At Cambridge Oh | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Memory Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Salt Fork State Park - Rocky Fork Access
- Salt Fork State Park - North Salem Ramp
- Morning Glory Ramp
- Salt Fork State Park - Cabin Area
- Salt Fork State Park - Salt Fork Marina
- Salt Fork State Park - Campground Ramp
Campgrounds
Track Memory 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 Memory Lake Dam
Where does the data for Memory 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 Memory Lake Dam.