East Branch Reservoir Dam
East Branch Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Geauga County, Ohio, built in 1939. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About East Branch Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of East Branch 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 City Of Akron (local government). It impounds the East Branch Cuyahoga River near Burton Station.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 1,800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 395 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9,650 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 18 square miles. Completed in 1939, 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. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/05/2021.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
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 | Geauga |
| Nearest City | Burton Station |
| River/Stream | East Branch Cuyahoga River |
| Coordinates | 41.50361, -81.09389 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1939 (87 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 9,650 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 9,650 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 395 acres |
| Drainage Area | 18 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 13,350 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Akron |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 10/05/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00755 |
| Federal ID | OH00755 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |