Walter C. Best Lake Dam

Tributary to Chagrin River· Geauga, Ohio· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Walter C. Best Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Ohio. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 12.4% in OH)
Dam Length3,410 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage220 acre-ft
Normal Storage150 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge184 cfs
NID IDOH03067

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: Yes
Last Inspection: May 15, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Geauga Park District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Walter C. Best Lake Dam?

Walter C. Best 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 Walter C. Best Lake Dam?

Walter C. Best Lake Dam is owned by Geauga Park District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Walter C. Best Lake Dam?

Walter C. Best 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 Walter C. Best Lake Dam?

Walter C. Best 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 Walter C. Best Lake Dam last inspected?

Walter C. Best Lake Dam was last inspected on May 15, 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.