Willard Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO WEST BRANCH HURON RIVER· Huron, Ohio· Built 1955· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Willard Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 33.3% in OH)
Dam Length460 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage133 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,430 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDOH00218

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 11, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Willard Conservation League, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Willard Lake Dam?

Willard 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 Willard Lake Dam?

Willard Lake Dam is owned by Willard Conservation League, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Willard Lake Dam built?

Willard Lake Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Willard Lake Dam?

Willard 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 Willard Lake Dam?

Willard Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Willard Lake Dam last inspected?

Willard Lake Dam was last inspected on May 11, 2021. 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.