Bear Town Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO AURORA BRANCH· Geauga, Ohio· Built 1960· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Bear Town Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 33.3% in OH)
Dam Length950 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage142 acre-ft
Normal Storage57 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,721 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDOH00357

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: Yes
Last Inspection: May 15, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Geauga Park District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bear Town Lake Dam?

Bear Town 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 Town Lake Dam?

Bear Town Lake Dam is owned by Geauga Park District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bear Town Lake Dam built?

Bear Town Lake Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bear Town Lake Dam?

Bear Town 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 Town Lake Dam?

Bear Town Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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.

When was Bear Town Lake Dam last inspected?

Bear Town Lake Dam was last inspected on May 15, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.