Willoway Upground No. 5 Dam
Willoway Upground No. 5 Dam is an earth dam located in Lorain County, Ohio, built in 1999. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Willoway Upground No. 5 Dam
The primary purpose of Willoway Upground No. 5 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 Willoway Nursery (private). It impounds the Slater Ditch near Avon.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 2,440 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 71 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1999, the structure is 27 years old.
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 11/29/2023.
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 | Lorain |
| Nearest City | Avon |
| River/Stream | Slater Ditch |
| Coordinates | 41.42000, -82.04917 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,440 ft |
| Year Completed | 1999 (27 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 71 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 71 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 37 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 28 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Willoway Nursery |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/29/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH02990 |
| Federal ID | OH02990 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |