Salem Reservoir (South Embankment)

TRIBUTARY TO MIDDLE FORK LITTLE BEAVER CREEK· Columbiana, Ohio· Built 1952· Earth· 48 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 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 48 ft (taller than 90.2% in OH)
Dam Length2,825 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.6K acre-ft
Surface Area110 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDOH00321

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: April 9, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

City of Salem

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Salem Reservoir (South Embankment)?

Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) 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 Salem Reservoir (South Embankment)?

Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) is owned by City of Salem (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) built?

Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Salem Reservoir (South Embankment)?

Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Salem Reservoir (South Embankment)?

Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) has a dam height of 48 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 Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) last inspected?

Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) was last inspected on April 9, 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.