Grand Rapids Dam dam
Grand Rapids Dam
The Grand Rapids Dam, located on the Maumee River in Ohio, was completed in 1907 and serves as a recreational site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Owned by the state and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, this gravity dam stands at a height of 8 feet and stretches 642 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 8,925 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,785 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its age, the Grand Rapids Dam is in fair condition with a high hazard potential. Regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure the dam's structural integrity and safety. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in April 2019, indicating a proactive approach to risk management. With its historical significance and recreational value, the Grand Rapids Dam continues to be a vital asset for the community and a subject of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
As one of the few gravity dams in the area, the Grand Rapids Dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also contributes to flood control and water resource management. Its location on the Maumee River in Wood County, Ohio, makes it a key structure in the region's infrastructure. With ongoing inspections and maintenance efforts, the dam remains a symbol of resilience and a focal point for those interested in water resource conservation and climate adaptation.
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 Grand Rapids Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Turkeyfoot Creek Near Shunk Oh | 18 cfs | → |
| Maumee River At Waterville Oh | 2,440 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 Grand Rapids Dam.
Boat launches
- Mary Jane Thurston State Park
- Schroders Farm
- Orleans Park
- Hood Park
- Maple Street Boat Ramp
- Corey Street Ramp
Campgrounds
Track Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids Dam
Where does the data for Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids Dam.