Providence Dam dam
Providence Dam
Providence Dam, located in Wood County, Ohio, along the Maumee River, is a gravity dam primarily used for recreational purposes. Built in 1907, the dam stands at a height of 8.6 feet and has a total length of 1188 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 8925 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 1785 acres and serves a drainage area of 6058 acres. Despite its age, the dam is in fair condition and is regularly inspected by the Department of Natural Resources to ensure its structural integrity.
Owned and regulated by the state of Ohio, Providence Dam is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam has a high hazard potential due to its location and the volume of water it can hold, necessitating a comprehensive emergency action plan. The last inspection in November 2017 deemed the dam to be in fair condition, with an inspection frequency of every five years. The surrounding area offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking, making Providence Dam a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
With its picturesque location along the Maumee River and its historical significance dating back over a century, Providence Dam stands as a testament to the engineering feats of the past. As efforts continue to maintain and monitor the dam's safety, visitors and locals alike can enjoy the recreational opportunities and natural beauty that this gravity dam provides. Whether exploring the surrounding wilderness or simply admiring the structure itself, Providence Dam remains a vital part of Ohio's water resource infrastructure and a beloved destination for those who appreciate the intersection of water management and environmental stewardship.
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 Providence Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maumee River At Waterville Oh | 2,440 cfs | → |
| South Turkeyfoot Creek Near Shunk Oh | 18 cfs | → |
| West Creek Near Hamler Oh | 0 cfs | → |
| Wolf Creek At Holland Oh | 20 cfs | → |
| Ottawa River At University Of Toledo Toledo Oh | 36 cfs | → |
| Maumee River Near Defiance Oh | 1,830 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Providence Dam.
Boat launches
- Mary Jane Thurston State Park
- Schroders Farm
- Orleans Park
- Hood Park
- Maple Street Boat Ramp
- Corey Street Ramp
Campgrounds
Track Providence 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 Providence Dam
Where does the data for Providence 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 High 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 Providence Dam.