Hance Lake Dam dam
Hance Lake Dam
Hance Lake Dam, located in Knox, Ohio, is a privately-owned structure designed by EMH&T, INC. The dam was completed in 1991 and serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment. With a height of 32 feet and a length of 980 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 97 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.06 square miles. Despite being regulated by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, the dam is considered to have a low risk profile and is inspected every five years to ensure its safety and functionality.
Situated on a tributary to Armstrong Run, Hance Lake Dam plays a crucial role in the local water resource management by providing a surface area of 8 acres and a normal storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. The dam's maximum discharge capacity is 203 cubic feet per second, offering a reliable source of water for recreational activities in the area. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 1993, reflecting the commitment to preparedness and risk management in case of any unforeseen events.
Overall, Hance Lake Dam stands as a significant structure in the water resource landscape of Ohio, contributing to both recreational opportunities and water management efforts. With its strategic location and design, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water demands. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience, the story of Hance Lake Dam offers valuable insights into the intersection of human intervention and natural systems, highlighting the need for proactive management and stewardship of our precious water resources.
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 Hance Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kokosing River At Mount Vernon Oh | 114 cfs | → |
| North Fork Licking River At Utica Oh | 21 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork Mohican River At Bellville Oh | 93 cfs | → |
| Whetstone Creek At Mt Gilead Oh | 8 cfs | → |
| Alum Creek Near Kilbourne Oh | 16 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek At Sunbury Oh | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hance Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Mohican State Park
- Kilbourne Hand Launch
- Alum Creek State Park - Howard Road
- Hoover Reservoir - Oxbow Road Launch Ramp
- Hoover Reservoir - Baldridge Boat Ramp
- Alum Creek State Park - Cheshire
Campgrounds
- Camp Marengo
- Recreation Unlimited
- Camp Mohaven
- Lazy River At Granville
- Camp Falling Rock Boy Scout Reservation
- Camp Toodik Family Campground
Fishing spots
Track Hance 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 Hance Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hance 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 Hance Lake Dam.