Paw Paw Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO SILVER CREEK· Geauga, Ohio· Built 1920· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Paw Paw Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 12.4% in OH)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage39 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge3,784 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDOH01006

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: May 10, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Paw Paw Lake Home Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Paw Paw Lake Dam?

Paw Paw 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 Paw Paw Lake Dam?

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

When was Paw Paw Lake Dam built?

Paw Paw Lake Dam was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Paw Paw Lake Dam?

Paw Paw 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 Paw Paw Lake Dam?

Paw Paw Lake Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Paw Paw Lake Dam last inspected?

Paw Paw Lake Dam was last inspected on May 10, 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.