Doan Brook Restoration & Lower Lake Dam Reconstruction

Over the next several years, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, as part of its Stormwater Management Program, will undertake two major projects in our community: (1) remove the dam at Horseshoe Lake and restore the Doan Brook to its natural state and (2) reconstruct the dam at Lower Lake to bring it into compliance with state regulations for Class 1 dams.

Doan Brook Restoration

Current status: Design phase
Project website: neorsd.org/doanbrook

NEORSD wrapped up the pre-design phase of the project in summer 2023. During this phase, the project team worked to determine an overall approach to restoring the Doan Brook and creating a new 60-acre public park. Community engagement was an integral part of the pre-design phase and helped create the vision for the project. The design team held three rounds of community engagement during the pore-design phase, including both virtual and in-person events, in August 2022, November/December 2022 and May 2023. Next will be a detailed design phase This phase will also take about a year and include additional community engagement. Sign up for notifications for these events at neorsd.org/doanbrook. Click here to learn more about NEORSD's recommendation to remove the dam.

Lower Lake Dam Reconstruction

Current status: Pre-design phase
Project website: neorsd.org/lowerlake

This project will address the deficiencies of the 150-year-old dam, bringing it into compliance with state safety requirements while also helping to address downstream flooding. The project will also restore the Doan Brook immediately downstream of the dam. All these goals shall be met while providing adequate consideration of the surrounding parkland and cultural and ecological resources.

The project is currently in the pre-design phase. NEORSD held the first round of community engagement for the project in early October 2023.