Ellis Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO TODD FORK· Clinton, Ohio· Built 1986· Earth· 31 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Ellis Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 31 ft (taller than 64.6% in OH)
Dam Length530 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage38 acre-ft
Normal Storage21 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge38 cfs
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
NID IDOH01404

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
Last Inspection: March 12, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Jeff and Shelly Higgins

Private

Nearby Dams

Roberts Lake Dam

Clinton, OH

Significant Hazard 19 ft

Baptist Foundation Lake Dam

Clinton, OH

Significant Hazard 36 ft

Stokes Lake Dam

Clinton, OH

Low Hazard 17 ft

Clinton County Tributary No. 4 Dam

Clinton, OH

High Hazard 20 ft

Cowan Lake Dam

Clinton, OH

High Hazard 63 ft

Clinton County Tributary No. 1 Dam

Clinton, OH

High Hazard 15 ft

Wilmington Upground Reservoir No. 1

Clinton, OH

High Hazard 19 ft

Burtonville Lake Dam

Clinton, OH

Significant Hazard 25 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ellis Lake Dam?

Ellis 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 Ellis Lake Dam?

Ellis Lake Dam is owned by Jeff and Shelly Higgins (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ellis Lake Dam built?

Ellis Lake Dam was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Ellis Lake Dam?

Ellis 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 Ellis Lake Dam?

Ellis Lake Dam has a dam height of 31 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 Ellis Lake Dam last inspected?

Ellis Lake Dam was last inspected on March 12, 2019. 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.