Stark Lime Sludge Lagoon

About Stark Lime Sludge Lagoon

The primary purpose of Stark Lime Sludge Lagoon is tailings. Tailings dams contain waste material from mining operations — typically a slurry of finely ground rock left over after valuable minerals have been extracted. These structures require ongoing monitoring because tailings can contain heavy metals and other contaminants. The dam is owned by Aqua Ohio (public utility). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary To The Tuscarawas River near Massillon.

The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 119 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.

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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 05/13/2025.

At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.

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