Chippewa Creek Structure IV-A, located in Sterling, Ohio, is a significant earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS in 1973 for flood risk reduction along a tributary to Chippewa Creek.
Wind
Humidity
With a height of 40.5 feet and a length of 480 feet, this dam provides a storage capacity of 203 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 19 acre-feet. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 2861 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, Chippewa Creek Structure IV-A has been inspected regularly, with a last assessment in June 2020 showing a satisfactory condition. Its hazard potential is deemed significant, with a moderate risk level of 3. While the dam has no associated locks, gates, or controlled spillways, it serves as a critical infrastructure for flood control in the region and plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation events. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find this structure to be a fascinating example of engineering ingenuity in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the state of Ohio.
Year Completed |
1973 |
Dam Length |
480 |
Dam Height |
40.5 |
River Or Stream |
TRIBUTARY TO CHIPPEWA CREEK |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
4.5 |
Drainage Area |
1.69 |
Nid Storage |
203 |
Outlet Gates |
Uncontrolled |
Hazard Potential |
Significant |
Foundations |
Soil |
Nid Height |
41 |