Dams and the water on the lake may look calm — but some of these old structures are hiding problems beneath the surface. Dams are built for multiple purposes, including flood control, water supply, and even recreation. 

While the need for dams may vary, the need for maintaining them doesn't. 

Dams are assessed every five years for safety and receive a ranking ranging from satisfactory to fair to poor to unsatisfactory. The US Army Corps of Engineers publishes those findings on its National Inventory of Dams listing, which multiple groups, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and dam owners, compile.

The same database also indicates that many dams here in the Valley have been classified as being in poor condition, meaning that the dam has known deficiencies and requires remedial action. While not the worst classification of unsatisfactory, which indicates that a dam requires immediate or emergency remedial action, these dams do present a risk.

Adding to the concern is the increasing number of extreme rain events, as the US Environmental Protection Agency's tracking shows that rain amounts have been increasing dramatically since the 1950s, especially in the Midwest.

In this 21 News Watch Dog Report, we examine the number of dams in the three-county area that are rated in poor condition and also have a high hazard condition, with significant or high rankings. This ranking indicates that the dams require repair, and measures must be taken to ensure the safety of those living nearby. The classification of 'poor/unsatisfactory' means deficiencies exist and action is needed, but doesn't necessarily mean there is an imminent danger. A High Hazard dam classification means that if the dam were to fail, loss of life is probable and significant property destruction is likely. 

Tony Klimek, who works for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), reports on the status of the 92,000 dams across the U.S., told 21 News that the standards are different today from when dams were built, in most cases, more than 50 years ago.

"Poor condition means there's some deficiency recognized that should be addressed. It hasn't risen to the level to warrant immediate action," Klimek said.

Dena Barhouse, Chief, Division of Water Resources ODNR, told 21 News, "Dams have been around for hundreds of years, and they do deteriorate over time." 

All of Northeast Ohio, except Lake County, has approximately 50 percent or more of dams that are ranked as in poor condition.

Mahoning County has six of its dams listed as in 'poor' condition and classified as having a significant or high potential for failure, according to the National Inventory of Dams registry. Some of these dams have received renovations but need to be brought up to current standards for dam safety.

Klimek added, "Development or people living immediately downstream, that if the dam were to fail, and they didn't get out of there in time, that there could be some significant damage or potential impact to human life."

Klimek said that evolving weather patterns, creating extreme rain events, are adding to the problems of dams with deficiencies.

"The frequency and intensity of storms is getting worse," he said, "You have to upgrade, improve the spillway or or upgrade the dam so that it can safely pass a larger design storm," Klimel said. 

MAHONING COUNTY - hazard potential classification 3 high, 4 significant

Those dams in poor condition include the Name, Condition, Hazard Potential Classification, and whether an Emergency Action Plan is in place, along with the type of dam, year built (if available), and the date of the most recent condition assessment.

  • McKelvey Lake Dam:  Poor, High, Yes (revised 2022). Concrete dam built in 1926, condition assessed May 2016. 
  • Lake Hamilton Dam: Poor, High, Yes (revised 2022). Concrete, masonry built in 1905. Condition assessed Dec. 2021.
  • Lake Milton Dam: Poor, High, Yes (revised 2017). Earth dam built in 1916. Condition assessed April 2016.
  • Burgess Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, Yes (revised 2022). Earth dam built in 1915. Condition assessed Dec. 2021.
  • Lake Cohasset Dam: Poor, Significant, Yes (revised (2017): Masonry dam built in 1897. Condition assessed April 2016.
  • Mike Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1958. Condition assessed Sept. 2021.
  • Thompson Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam. Condition assessed November 2021.

TRUMBULL COUNTY - hazard potential classification 4 high, 5 significant, 4 low

Those dams in poor condition include the Name, Condition, Hazard Potential Classification, and whether an Emergency Action Plan is in place, along with the type of dam, year built (if available), and the date of the most recent condition assessment.

  • Coalburg Lake Dam: Poor, High, Yes (2022). Earth dam built in 1916. Condition assessed Nov. 2019.
  • Mineral Ridge Dam: Poor, High, Yes (2022). Earth dam built in 1932. Condition assessed July 2021.
  • Pleasant Valley Lake Dam: Poor, High, No. Earth dam built in 1925. Condition assessed Sept. 2021.
  • Upper Girard Lake Dam: Poor, High, Yes (2010). Earth dam built in 1929. Condition assessed Dec. 2022.
  • Kirila Pond Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1950. Condition assessed Nov. 2021.
  • Thomas Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1973. Condition assessed Oct. 2021.
  • Turon Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1954. Condition assessed Oct. 2021.
  • Youngstown Country Club Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam last assessed Oct. 2021.
  • Yount Pond Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1965. Condition assessment Sept. 2021.
  • Chestnut Ridge Lake Dam: Poor, Low, Yes (2018). Earth dam with condition assessed on May 2016.
  • Paradise Lakes Campground Lake Dam. Poor, Low, Yes (revised 2022). Earth dam built in 1958. Condition assessed Aug. 2021. 
  • Sauer Lake Dam: Poor, Low, Yes (2013). Earth built in 1955. Condition assessed March 2016. 
  • West Branch Channel Dam: Poor, Low, Yes. Concrete dam. Condition assessed April 2016.

COLUMBIANA COUNTY -  hazard potential classification 5 high, 12 significant, 3 low

Those dams in poor condition include the Name, Condition, Hazard Potential Classification, and whether an Emergency Action Plan is in place, along with the type of dam, year built (if available), and the date of the most recent condition assessment.

  • Bibbee's Little Rock Dam: Poor, High, No. Earth dam built in 1960. Condition assessed June 2019.
  • Guilford Lake Dam: Poor, High, Yes (2017). Earth dam built in 1933. Condition assessed Jan. 2017. Work on this dam is planned for 2026. 
  • Highlandtown Lake Dam: Poor, High, Yes (2016). Earth, rockfill dam built in 1966. last assessment June 2019.
  • Lake Tomahawk Dam: Poor, High, Yes (2019). Earth dam built in 1966. Condition assessed June 2019.
  • Salem Reservoir (South Embankment): Poor, High, Yes (2005). Earth dam built in 1952. Condition assessed April 2023.
  • Csonka Brothers Pond Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1975.  Condition assessed April 2019. 
  • East Palestine Reservoir Dam: Poor, Significant, Yes (2012). Earth dam, condition last assessed May 2019. 
  • Flying Finn Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1966. Condition assessed May 2019.
  • Lake Cha-Vel Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built 1950. Condition assessed June 2019.
  • Lake Copeland Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1956. Condition assessed May 2019. 
  • Lake P'Na Dam: Poor, Significant, Yes (2020). Earth dam built in 1948. Condition assessed May 2016.
  • Lower Wallace Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam, condition last assessed May 2019. 
  • Manfull Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1951. Condition assessed July 2020.
  • Mill Pond Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1952. Condition assessed June 2019.
  • Rayls Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built 1955. Condition assessed June 2019.
  • Sevakeen Country Club Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, Yes (2020). Earth dam built in 1925, in condition Nov. 2021. A private dam that homeowners are working to replace. 
  • Slate Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1967. Condition assessed July 2020.
  • Spring Valley Lake Dam: Poor, Low, No. Earth dam last assessed July 2020.
  • Summitcrest Farm Pond Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1960. Condition assessed June 2019.
  • Summitville Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1940. Condition assessed June 2019.
  • Sunshine Lakes Dam: Poor, Significant, No. The Earth dam's last assessment was May 2019.
  • Werner Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1955, condition last assessed May 2019. 
  • Westville Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, Yes. Earth dam built in 1922. Condition assessed Nov. 2021.
  • Woodland Lake Dam: Poor, Significant, No. Earth dam built in 1948. Condition assessed Nov. 2020
  • Dickey Lake Dam: Poor, Low, No. Earth dam built in 1945. Condition assessed June 2019.
  • Hammond Lake II Dam: Poor, Low, No. Earth dam built in 1950. Condition assessed July 2020.
  • Ludwig Dam: Poor, Low, No. Earth dam last assessed on May 2019.

To look up locations and the rankings for all Valley dams, click here for Mahoning County, here for Trumbull County and here for Columbiana County.

Klimek said this year's ACSE Report Card will show a slight improvement for dam repairs across the US, going from a grade of D+ to a C-.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is scheduled to release new data for all infrastructure by mid-month.