THE BASICS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

*DISCLAIMER: our group is still gathering info on this everyday and we urge you to take some time to read about it on your own time as well!

The Horseshoe Lake and Lower Lake Dams are classified as a Class 1 Dams, meaning that if the dam were to fail, it would cause probable loss of life to the densely populated areas downstream, as well as intense levels of destruction to surrounding infrastructure.

After the ODNR's (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) dam evaluation in 2019, The Horseshoe Lake Dam was deemed structurally deficient and drained shortly after. Some findings included cracks in masonry and sinkholes - problems that all required more than minor fixes.

Some negative impacts the dam was having on the surrounding habitat:

• Displacing sediment and creating many shallow areas of water -> promotes higher water temp and algae growth -> disrupts stream flow

• Erosion and cracks in the dam's structure due to its structural deficiency

• Jeopardizes the safety of the community with flooding during intense rainfall

NEORSD (Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District) has recommended a full removal of the dam in a presentation towards the Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights City Councils in June of 2021. They will fully fund the removal, a total of $28.3 million, and reinstall the area to its natural habitat by planting native species.

The two city councils have since both voted in favor on removing The Horseshoe Lake Dam, and have begun the process in October of 2021.

NOTE: While the NEORSD will support removal of the dam, the jurisdiction of the rest of the park is up to the city councils, and we have a chance to sway what ultimately is built/restored in place of it!