Oberlin Upground Reservoir
Oberlin Upground Reservoir is an earth dam located in Lorain County, Ohio, built in 1960. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Oberlin Upground Reservoir
The primary purpose of Oberlin Upground Reservoir is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Oberlin (local government). It impounds the Offstream near Oberlin.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 6,156 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 54 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,070 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/18/2023.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Ohio dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Ohio |
| County | Lorain |
| Nearest City | Oberlin |
| River/Stream | Offstream |
| Coordinates | 41.27500, -82.17833 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 6,156 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,070 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,070 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 880 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 54 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Oberlin |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/18/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00112 |
| Federal ID | OH00112 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |