Sunny Lake Dam dam
Sunny Lake Dam
Sunny Lake Dam, located in Aurora, Ohio, is a local government-owned structure regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. This earth dam, with a height of 10.2 feet and a length of 350 feet, primarily serves for recreational purposes, providing a surface area of 63 acres and a normal storage capacity of 180 acre-feet. The dam, situated on a tributary to the Aurora Branch of the Chagrin River, has a low hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in poor condition as of the last inspection in May 2018.
Despite its poor condition assessment, Sunny Lake Dam remains a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational activities. With its maximum storage capacity reaching 350 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.82 square miles, the dam provides a serene setting for visitors to enjoy water-based activities. However, the dam's state-regulated status, coupled with its low hazard potential, suggests that ongoing maintenance and potential rehabilitation efforts may be necessary to ensure the safety and longevity of this essential water resource in Portage County, Ohio.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the management and upkeep of dams like Sunny Lake Dam become increasingly crucial. With regular inspections and necessary enforcement measures in place, coupled with the engagement of key stakeholders and the community, Sunny Lake Dam can continue to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all who visit, while also contributing to the sustainable management of water resources in the region.
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 Sunny Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga River At Hiram Rapids Oh | 311 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| Brandywine Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 9 cfs | → |
| Tinkers Creek At Bedford Oh | 91 cfs | → |
| Cuyahoga River At Jaite Oh | 951 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Tributary To Chagrin R At Pepper Pike Oh | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunny Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hudson Springs Park
- Auburn Launch Ramp
- La Due Reservoir - Boat House
- Lake Hodgson
- Eldon Russell Park
- Punderson State Park
Campgrounds
- Camp Asbury
- Silver Springs - Stow
- Camp Site A
- Camp Site B
- Punderson State Park
- Kool Lakes Family Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Sunny 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 Sunny Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sunny 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 Sunny Lake Dam.