Pavliga Announces $200,000 for Wingfoot Lake Wildlife Area

State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) announces that the Ohio State Controlling Board approved $200,000 in funding for the Wingfoot Lake Wildlife Area during today’s meeting. The funding will be used for construction and repairs of the Wingfoot Lake Dam.

“I applaud this initiative’s approval for our area of Portage County,” said Pavliga. “This important funding is necessary to ensure the safety standards of the dam are met as it is a vital part to the Wingfoot Lake Wildlife Area. The protection of animals and preservation of our parks is very important and I’m pleased to see this funding will assist our own state park right here in the 75th District.”

The funding will be used to contract services to provide engineering that will conduct a detailed assessment and alternatives analysis for the concrete overflow section of the dam at Wingfoot Lake Dam. The project also includes soil borings, surveying, final design services, construction bidding documents, and construction administration for the interim risk reduction measures (IRRM). 

Wingfoot Lake Dam is comprised of a Class II structure, both owned and operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife in Wingfoot Lake Wildlife Area. The impoundment is used for fishing and recreation. Currently, the structure does not meet established dam safety standards.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) through the Division of Wildlife is responsible for the management of Wingfoot Lake Wildlife Area in Portage County, Ohio. Originally constructed by the Quaker Oats Company and subsequently purchased by Goodyear, the Wingfoot Lake Dam last underwent major repair work in 1993. The dam was later purchased by ODNR in 2009. Currently, the Wingfoot Lake Dam is part of the Wingfoot Lake Wildlife Area with the lake a critical part of the adjacent Wingfoot Lake State Park.