Gorge Plant Dam
Gorge Plant Dam is a concrete dam located in Summit County, Ohio, built in 1912. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Gorge Plant Dam
The primary purpose of Gorge Plant Dam 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 Firstenergy Corporation (public utility). It impounds the Cuyahoga River near Cuyahoga Falls.
The dam stands 57 feet tall and stretches 420 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,149 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 330 square miles. Completed in 1912, the structure is over a century 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/06/2021.
At 57 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Summit |
| Nearest City | Cuyahoga Falls |
| River/Stream | Cuyahoga River |
| Coordinates | 41.12306, -81.49722 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Length | 420 ft |
| Year Completed | 1912 (114 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,149 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,149 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 929 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34 acres |
| Drainage Area | 330 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,657 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | FirstEnergy Corporation |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 12/06/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00481 |
| Federal ID | OH00481 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |