Findley Lake Dam

WELLINGTON CREEK· Lorain, Ohio· Built 1956· Earth· 33 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Findley Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 70% in OH)
Dam Length1,670 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage885 acre-ft
Surface Area84 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge16,212 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDOH00438

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 16, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Findley Lake Dam?

Findley Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Findley Lake Dam?

Findley Lake Dam is owned by ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Findley Lake Dam built?

Findley Lake Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Findley Lake Dam?

Findley 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 Findley Lake Dam?

Findley Lake Dam has a dam height of 33 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 Findley Lake Dam last inspected?

Findley Lake Dam was last inspected on November 16, 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.