Lake Cardinal Dam is an earth dam located in Ashtabula County, Ohio, built in 1927. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 31 ft31 ft tall and 300 ft long, taller than 72% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Lake Cardinal Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Cardinal Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lake Cardinal Estates, Inc. (private). It impounds the Plum Creek near Circle Resort.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 55 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,532 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1927, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/26/2021.
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Location
| State | Ohio |
| County | Ashtabula |
| Nearest City | Circle Resort |
| River/Stream | Plum Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.61667, -80.89167 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1927 (99 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,532 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,532 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 370 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 55 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,284 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Lake Cardinal Estates, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/26/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00395 |
| Federal ID | OH00395 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |