General Motors Primary Lagoon

General Motors Primary Lagoon is an earth dam located in Defiance County, Ohio, built in 1940. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About General Motors Primary Lagoon

The primary purpose of General Motors Primary Lagoon 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 Gm Defiance Casting Operations. It impounds the Maumee River - Offstream near Independence.

The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 2,300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 230 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 04/26/2022.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateOhio
CountyDefiance
Nearest CityIndependence
River/StreamMaumee River - Offstream
Coordinates41.29111, -84.31528

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height30 ft
Dam Height30 ft
Dam Length2,300 ft
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage230 acre-ft
Max Storage230 acre-ft
Normal Storage198 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge100 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerGM Defiance Casting Operations
Owner TypeNot Listed
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection04/26/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDOH01503
Federal IDOH01503
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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