Berlin Dam
Berlin Dam is a gravity dam located in Mahoning County, Ohio, built in 1943. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Berlin Dam
The primary purpose of Berlin Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Pittsburgh District (federal). It impounds the Mahoning River near Berlin Center.
The dam stands 96 feet tall and stretches 5,750 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,590 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 140,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 249 square miles. Completed in 1943, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/06/2022.
At 96 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Mahoning |
| Nearest City | Berlin Center |
| River/Stream | Mahoning River |
| Coordinates | 41.04605, -81.00246 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 96 ft |
| Dam Length | 5,750 ft |
| Year Completed | 1943 (83 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 140,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 140,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 58,400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3,590 acres |
| Drainage Area | 249 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 73,400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Pittsburgh District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 05/06/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00032 |
| Federal ID | OH00032 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |