Mirror Lake Dam dam
Mirror Lake Dam
Mirror Lake Dam in Ohio, nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Licking County, stands as a testament to responsible water resource management. Owned and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, this local government-owned earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, offering a serene oasis for water and climate enthusiasts alike. With a modest height of 17.2 feet and a storage capacity of 57.5 acre-feet, Mirror Lake Dam boasts a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of its visitors.
Managed by the USDA Soil Conservation Service, this dam on Ramp Creek is a vital component of the Union Station community, providing a surface area of 7.1 acres and a drainage area of 0.17 square miles. Despite its humble dimensions, Mirror Lake Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region and serving as a recreational hub for locals and tourists alike. With regular inspections and a comprehensive emergency action plan, the dam is well-prepared to mitigate any potential risks and ensure the continued safety of its surroundings.
As part of the Louisville District, Mirror Lake Dam stands as a beacon of responsible stewardship in water resource management, embodying the harmony between human recreation and natural conservation. With a commitment to maintaining its integrity and enhancing its recreational value, this dam serves as a model for sustainable infrastructure development in the face of changing climate patterns. For those passionate about water resources and climate resilience, Mirror Lake Dam is a prime example of how man-made structures can coexist harmoniously with the environment, providing both recreational benefits and ecological support for generations 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 Mirror Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon Creek Near Granville Oh | 32 cfs | → |
| South Fork Licking River Near Hebron Oh | 43 cfs | → |
| South Fork Licking River At Heath Oh | 66 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Cr. Bl. Wilson Street At Newark Oh | 77 cfs | → |
| South Fork Licking River At Kirkersville Oh | 11 cfs | → |
| N. Fk. Licking River At E. Main St. At Newark Oh | 92 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mirror Lake Dam.
Track Mirror 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 Mirror Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mirror 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 Mirror Lake Dam.