Franchester Lake Dam dam
Franchester Lake Dam
Franchester Lake Dam in Ohio, managed by a private owner, stands as a crucial structure in the region for recreation purposes. Built in 1966, this earth dam reaches a height of 19.8 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment in 2015 revealed poor maintenance, highlighting the need for significant improvements to ensure its long-term functionality.
Located in Wayne County, Ohio, the dam overlooks a tributary to Killbuck Creek, offering a scenic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. With a low hazard potential, the dam still requires attention to address its poor condition assessment. The Department of Natural Resources regulates this structure, underscoring the importance of state oversight in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in the area.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Franchester Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the critical infrastructure needed to manage and conserve water effectively. With ongoing inspections and potential risk management measures, this dam remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts invested in the preservation of our natural environment.
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 Franchester Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Creek At Miller Rd At Sterling Oh | 43 cfs | → |
| Tuscarawas River Above Barberton Oh | 94 cfs | → |
| West Branch Rocky River At West View Oh | 83 cfs | → |
| Baker Creek At Olmstead Falls Oh | 4 cfs | → |
| East Branch Rocky River Near Strongsville Oh | 36 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Olmsted Falls Oh | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Franchester Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Chippewa Lake Boat Launch
- New London Reservoir Park/Campground
- Portage Lakes State Park - Turkeyfoot
- Portage Lakes State Park - North Reservoir
- Portage Lakes State Park - Long Lake
- Old State Park
Campgrounds
- Freedom Valley Campground
- Camp Christopher
- Portage Lakes State Park
- Camp Toodik Family Campground
- Towpath Campsite
Fishing spots
- Charles Mill Lake
- Clear Fork Reservoir
- Apple Valley Lake
- Aurora Pond
- East 72nd Street Fishing Area
- Bucyrus Reservoirs
Paddle runs
Track Franchester 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 Franchester Lake Dam
Where does the data for Franchester 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 Low 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 Franchester Lake Dam.