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Portage County weighs $3 million repair vs. $5–8 million dam removal for Hillspond
Summary
County staff told commissioners the Hillspond dam is a state‑classified, deficient Class 2 dam; a phased repair is estimated at about $3 million while full dam removal and stream restoration was conceptually estimated at $5–8 million. A $128,000 wetland mitigation payment is due at month‑end; commissioners moved into executive session to confer with counsel on legal exposure and easement options.
Sean, a county project presenter, told the Portage County Board of Commissioners that the Hillspond dam is currently classified as a deficient Class 2 dam by state regulators and that staff have been working on a two‑phase design to address the deficiency and secure an exemption from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) regulation.
The most immediate option presented was a two‑phase repair that would maintain the lake pool adjacent to county property and complete construction administration and observation. "We're projecting a cost estimate for the remaining tasks approaching $3 million," Sean said, listing construction, professional administration services and a non‑refundable wetland mitigation credit purchase among the costs.
County staff also presented a concept alternative: full dam removal and stream restoration. That option would involve drawing down the lake, dewatering and relocating sediment, constructing an approximately…
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