West Reservoir Dam
West Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Summit County, Ohio, built in 1840. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About West Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of West 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 Odnr, Division Of Parks & Watercraft (state). It impounds the Tributary To Tuscarawas River near Portage Lakes.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 900 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 8,796 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 square miles. Completed in 1840, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 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 05/08/2025.
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 | Summit |
| Nearest City | Portage Lakes |
| River/Stream | Tributary To Tuscarawas River |
| Coordinates | 40.99778, -81.54389 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1840 (186 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 8,796 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 8,796 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6,896 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 900 acres |
| Drainage Area | 13 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 110 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/08/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00585 |
| Federal ID | OH00585 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |