Horseshoe Lake To Be Further Drained Due To Concern Over Dam

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Horseshoe Lake will be further drained to preserve the structural integrity of the dam, the city of Shaker Heights announced this week.

The heavy rains that have fallen throughout June have stressed the dam at Horseshoe Lake, the city said. That added stresses raised concerns from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources about the integrity of the dam, so the ODNR asked the city to lower the lake's water level further.

"It will be almost completely drained so that investigation and modification of the dam can take place. As the water drains, you will notice that mud flats develop along the edges of the lake. Due to the nearly complete draining of the lake, the mud flats will be extensive," the city said in an email this week.

The city said visitors to Horseshoe Lake should not walk near the mud flats. The area will likely pose a serious danger to visitors and people could get stuck in the mud and need a rescue operation.

Additional warning signs and reinforced fencing will be placed around the lake.

The sidewalk over the spillway will also be closed to pedestrian traffic until further notice, the city. Crews are investigating the dam, prompting the closure. Visitors will be unable to complete a loop around the lake using the path, the city said.

Crews have already been at work at Horseshoe Lake. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is designing a solution for the dam. However, until that solution can be implemented, the lake will remain almost completely drained. The city said they don't have an expected date of completion, but are estimating work will take at least two years.

Last year, in June 2018, the ODNR announced it had concerns over the integrity of Horseshoe Lake dam. The agency then ordered the lake's water level to be lowered by three feet.

At that time, the city of Shaker Heights explained that the dam was a Class I dam, meaning its integrity was critical. A breach could result in property damage and risks to resident safety.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources did not immediately respond to a request for more information. Patch will update this story if the department responds.