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Removal Case Study:
Euclid Creek East Branch Dam - Euclid Creek

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Photos courtesy of Cuyahoga SWCD. See more photos and project information from the SWCD.

Historical Information

1. Dam Name: Euclid Creek East Branch

2. Estimate height of dam in feet - 6'

3. Dam Type:

a) earthfill dam ____
b) concrete arch dam __X__
c) gravity dam ____
d) masonry dam ____
e) timber cribs ____
f) other, please explain - Original dam was timber cribs and was modified to concrete dam.

4. Location Description:  The dam is located in Cuyahoga County in the city of Euclid near the confluence of the East Branch and the Euclid Creek mainstem in the Euclid Creeks Metropark Reservation. Highland Road crosses the East Branch on a high bridge over the dam. 
Image of dam location from Bing. Lattitude: 41.560316   Longitude: -81.52923

5. Year Constructed: 1933 Year Removed: 12/07/2010

6. Dam Owner:

a) public  X Cleveland Metroparks
b) private ____
c) abandoned ____

7. Dam Function:

a) generate hydropower ____
b) irrigation ____
c) domestic water supply ____
d) navigation ____
e) flood control ____
f) recreation X initially used to impound water for swimming at a YMCA Camp
g) industrial water supply ____
h) unknown _____

8. What repairs have been done to the dam? None

9. Reason(s) for Removal:

a) aesthetic enhancement __X__
b) fish and wildlife habitat improvement __X__
c) cost savings ____
d) community revitalization ____
e) public safety hazard ____
f) water quality improvement __X__
g) recreational improvement __X__
h) alternative to dam ____

10. Project Sponsor (who initiated project): ODNR, Divisions of Wildlife and Soil and Water Resources, City of Euclid, Cleveland Metroparks, Cuyahoga County Engineer, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, Ohio EPA, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, and Friends of Euclid Creek.

11. Dam Removal Funding Sources:

a) federal X - US Fish & Wildlife Service
b) state X - ODNR, Division of Wildlife, Ohio EPA
c) local governmental agencies ____
d) other (please explain) X - Federal contract with Cleveland Metroparks

12. Cost of Dam Removal: $ 677,710

13. List all Contractors by Name, include Address and Telephone #:

1) Great Lakes Construction Company, Hinkley, Ohio

14. Permits Required:

a) federal____
b) state____
c) municipal ____

15. Dam Photographs:

a) before removal____
b) during removal____
c) after removal ____

16. Problems Encountered

a) before removal____
b) during removal____
c) after removal____

17. Before Removal:

a) Estimated Reservoir Area in acres____
b) Composition of river bed (e.g., sand, pebbles, boulders, bedrock)____
c) Types of Fish caught in the river____
d) Water Quality

i) behind the dam Good______ Fair______ Poor______
ii) below the dam Good______ Fair______ Poor______

18. Were any studies of the river conducted before the dam was removed?

Yes or No - No

19. Have studies been conducted on the river after the dam was removed to document changes in the river?

Yes or No - No