Lake Mottram Upground Reservoir
Lake Mottram Upground Reservoir is an earth dam located in Hancock County, Ohio, built in 1891. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Lake Mottram Upground Reservoir
The primary purpose of Lake Mottram 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 Fostoria (local government). It impounds the East Branch Portage River - Offstream near Fostoria.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 3,880 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 297 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1891, 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 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 06/24/2021.
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 | Hancock |
| Nearest City | Fostoria |
| River/Stream | East Branch Portage River - Offstream |
| Coordinates | 41.15778, -83.43111 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,880 ft |
| Year Completed | 1891 (135 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 297 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 297 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 161 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 77 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Fostoria |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/24/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00787 |
| Federal ID | OH00787 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |