Clear Fork Reservoir Dam
Clear Fork Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Richland County, Ohio, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Clear Fork Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Clear Fork Reservoir 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 City Of Mansfield (local government). It impounds the Clear Fork Mohican River near Lexington.
The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 3,420 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,024 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 26,532 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 34 square miles. Completed in 1949, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 11/21/2024.
At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 90% of dams nationwide.
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 | Richland |
| Nearest City | Lexington |
| River/Stream | Clear Fork Mohican River |
| Coordinates | 40.69806, -82.60639 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,420 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 26,532 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 26,532 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 10,922 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,024 acres |
| Drainage Area | 34 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 46,394 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Mansfield |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/21/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00778 |
| Federal ID | OH00778 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |