Bear Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO MAUMEE RIVER· Defiance, Ohio· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bear Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Ohio. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 27.7% in OH)
Dam Length315 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage33 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
NID IDOH01500

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Glen Bear

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bear Lake Dam?

Bear Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bear Lake Dam?

Bear Lake Dam is owned by Glen Bear (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Bear Lake Dam?

Bear Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bear Lake Dam?

Bear Lake Dam has a dam height of 20 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.