Dam Collapses on Chagrin River in Gates Mills

UPDATED 2:40 p.m.

Heavy rain caused a dam to burst on the Chagrin River in Gates Mills. The failure was reported at 9:50 a.m., village officials said.

Village Service Director Dave Biggert said the dam collapsed due to excessive stormwater runoff. He said it was constructed in the early 1800s to supply to a rake factory and a grist mill.

"It's classified as a low-towhead dam," he said.

The cities of Eastlake and Willoughby Hills were notified to be on the alert for a potential storm surge in the river. No evacuations were necessary in Gates Mills, Biggert said.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the area until 1 p.m.

Longtime resident Peter Griesinger said he heard about the dam's collapse on WCPN radio and had to see the scene.

"It's unprecendented. The dam was completely blown through," he said. "It's a major dam collapse."

He said the dam was not the original dam in the area and was done as a public works project. He doubted it would be replaced and said the result will be great for fishermen.

"ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) has been wanting to keep rivers open," Griesinger said. "It's terrific for the trout. It's going to be great for fishing.