Gorge Plant Dam dam
Gorge Plant Dam
The Gorge Plant Dam, located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is a concrete structure completed in 1912 with a primary purpose of water supply. It stands at a height of 57 feet and stretches 420 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 1149 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Cuyahoga River within Summit County, Ohio, and is owned by a public utility.
Despite its historical significance and essential role in water management, the Gorge Plant Dam has been rated as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment. The last inspection in 2017 revealed the need for significant improvements and maintenance. The dam is under state regulation and inspection by the Department of Natural Resources, ensuring compliance with safety standards and enforcement of necessary upgrades.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Gorge Plant Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water supply in the region, but its deteriorating condition poses risks that must be addressed promptly. With its location along the Cuyahoga River and its critical role in managing water resources, efforts to improve the dam's safety and functionality are essential to ensuring the continued availability of water for the community. The involvement of state regulatory agencies and the recognition of necessary maintenance highlight the importance of proactive measures to safeguard this important structure for the future.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Gorge Plant Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga River At Old Portage Oh | 417 cfs | → |
| Tuscarawas River Above Barberton Oh | 24 cfs | → |
| Brandywine Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 5 cfs | → |
| Cuyahoga River At Jaite Oh | 675 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 1 cfs | → |
| Chippewa Creek In Chippewa Met Pk Near Brecksville | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gorge Plant Dam.
Boat launches
- Canfield Road 2300, Sawyerwood
- Lakemore Park - James B Dodds Lakefront Park
- Portage Lakes State Park - Long Lake
- Portage Lakes State Park - North Reservoir
- Hudson Springs Park
- Old State Park
Campgrounds
- Silver Springs - Stow
- Camp Christopher
- Portage Lakes State Park
- West Branch State Park
- Towpath Campsite
- Camp Asbury
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Gorge Plant Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Gorge Plant Dam
Where does the data for Gorge Plant Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Gorge Plant Dam.