Location and Description

Cutler Lake Dam: Vital Statistics

• Maximum Embankment Height: 31 feet
• Length of Dam: 385 feet
• Crest Width: 10 feet
• Reservoir Surface Area At Top Of Dam: 34.5 acres
• Storage Capacity at Principal Spillway Elevation: 163.3-acre feet = 53.2 million gallons
• Principal Spillway Type: 74-foot long curved concrete weir outletting
  into a 20-foot wide concrete spillway chute
• Emergency Spillway: None
• Principal Spillway Crest Elevation: 829 feet
• Reservoir Surface Area at Principal Spillway: 163 acres
• Lake Drains: 16-inch diameter cast iron pipe
• Dam Classification: Class I
• Lake Constructed: 1937
• Lake Inflow: 2.3 cubic feet per second (baseflow)
• Total Drainage Area To Lake: 2.46 square miles
• Lake Outflow: 2.3 cubic feet per second (baseflow assuming no attenuation)
• Counties: The site is located in Muskingum County at Blue Rock State Park
• Communities: Philo

Safety Issues

The 79-year old, deteriorating concrete spillway has reached its service limit and requires a new structure. The dam as a whole currently does not meet ODNR Dam Safety Regulations.

Risk Reduction

Increase the capacity of spillway by replacing with new labyrinth spillway. Increase stability of embankment and manage seepage by adding a trench drain near the existing downstream earthen embankment toe. Repair deficiencies to the existing lake drain system.

Long Term Plan

The plan is to bring the dam into compliance with current ODNR Dam Safety regulations. Improvements to the dam will include construction of a new concrete spillway and chute, repairs/improvements to the existing control tower and outlet works, and general improvements to the immediate surrounding dam area.

Status

• Dam work completed, normal lake operations resume (Posted 2/8/2019)
• Lake refill begins, new boat launch ramp installed (Posted 11/7/2018)
• Final weeks of work move project toward completion (Posted 10/17/2018)
• Completion Expected by End of Year (Posted 10/10/2018 – photos)
• Other park improvements to be included (Posted 09/18/2018 – photos)
• Substantial project completion set for fall (Posted 08/22/2018 – photos)
• New spillway taking shape at Blue Rock State Park (Posted 07/18/2018 – photos)
• Peak season for outdoor concrete work (Posted 06/20/2018 – photos)
• Project completion set for end of 2018 (Posted 05/22/2018 – photos)
• Winter cold slows most construction activity (Posted 01/09/2018 – photos)
• Concrete work commences as winter approaches (Posted 12/12/2017 – photos)
• Preparation continues for concrete work (Posted 11/16/2017 – photos)
• Improvements underway as fall colors near peak (Posted 10/11/2017 – photos)
• Dam improvement work underway (Posted 08/21/2017)
• Lake level lowering continues as work begins (Posted 08/09/2017 – photos)
• Fish Removed, Lake Level Lowered as Construction Begins (Posted 07/24/2017)
• Notice To Proceed Issued By ODNR (Posted 06/02/2017)
• Controlling Board approves $4,255,970 for dam improvements (Posted 05/22/2017)
• Dam improvements to begin after July 4 holiday (Posted 04/25/2017)
• Dam Improvements Project Bid Advertised (Posted 03/20/2017)
• Project design is underway by the firm Michael Baker International. Once final design is completed and approved, project construction will follow in 2017 with completion in 2018.  (Posted 01/17/2017)

Additional park information may be found on the Blue Rock State Park web page.

News

News Releases

• None at this time.

All Engineering Division News Releases

Media Coverage

• Cutler Lake Dam improvements to be completed by end of year Zanesville Times Recorder [6/26/2018]
• Fish removed from Cutler Lake for dam repair Zanesville Times Recorder [7/24/2017]
• ODNR to spend $4 million to bring dam on Cutler Lake into compliance. Zanesville Times Recorder [5/24/2017]

To request more information you may write to:

or send an email communication to DamRiskReduction@dnr.state.oh.us.