Lake Rockwell Dam

CUYAHOGA RIVER· Portage, Ohio· Built 1913· Earth· 35 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Rockwell Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1913 and is 113 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 35 ft (taller than 73.7% in OH)
Dam Length490 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage18.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage8.2K acre-ft
Surface Area810 acres
Drainage Area200 sq mi
Max Discharge15,732 cfs
Year Completed1913 (113 years old)
NID IDOH00668

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: June 20, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

City of Akron

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Rockwell Dam?

Lake Rockwell 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 Lake Rockwell Dam?

Lake Rockwell Dam is owned by City of Akron (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Rockwell Dam built?

Lake Rockwell Dam was completed in 1913, making it 113 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 Lake Rockwell Dam?

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

How tall is Lake Rockwell Dam?

Lake Rockwell Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Lake Rockwell Dam last inspected?

Lake Rockwell Dam was last inspected on June 20, 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.