18/07/2025
🚨 Lake Tomahawk Is at a Crossroads — And Everyone’s Property Is on the Line
If you’ve driven past Lake Tomahawk recently, you’ve seen it: the water is way down, docks are dry, and the lake that gives this community its name is barely hanging on.
Why? Because the dam is failing, and it needs major repairs. This isn’t optional. It’s classified as a High Hazard Dam, and ODNR and the government will not pay to fix it.
So now, the responsibility has fallen on the people who live here: the homeowners.
Our family owns a home on Lake Tomahawk. We understand the frustration. We’ve read the letters, heard the meetings, and seen the comments online.
Some homeowners are worrying — and loudly complaining — about the idea of paying $71 a month. But many don’t fully understand the implications of doing nothing.
Because this isn’t just about the lake drying up. It’s about what happens to every home in this community when the water is gone.
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💸 If the Dam Doesn’t Get Fixed, You Could Lose Tens of Thousands in Property Value
Some homeowners — especially those not living directly on the water — have been vocal about opposing the cost of dam repairs.
We get it. Nobody wants extra fees.
But here’s what many people are ignoring:
🏡 If the lake disappears, everyone’s home values could tank 30–50%.
Yes, even if your house isn’t on the lake. Even if you never fish, swim, or kayak. Even if you’re just here for peace and quiet.
This isn’t a scare tactic. This has already happened in other places:
• Long Lake (Norton, OH): Dam problems caused massive value drops and nearly halted lakefront home sales.
• Lake Delhi (Iowa): Dam failure in 2010 caused homes to lose up to 60% of their value. It took a decade and public funding to recover.
• Lake Isabella (CA): After dam-related water drawdowns, rental income collapsed and sales stalled.
This is what happens when a lake becomes a swamp or disappears altogether. And it affects everyone.
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Hoa loan scenarios include a maximum payment of $71.67 a month
Yes — some are upset over $71.67 a month, which is:
• Less than most people spend on cable or internet.
• Cheaper than a single dinner out.
• And a hell of a lot better than watching your $300,000 home drop to $210,000 because your lake turned into a mosquito swamp.
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🤷♂️ What If the HOA Doesn’t Fix It?
Some have floated the idea of “giving the lake to the state” or just letting nature take its course.
Here’s what would likely happen:
• ODNR will not fix the dam.
• The lake could be drained or turned into a regulated wetland.
• Fences, warnings, and environmental restrictions could follow.
• The identity of Lake Tomahawk as a lake community would vanish — along with home values, recreation, and resale potential.
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💬 Final Thought
Lake Tomahawk is a lake community. That’s why people move here. That’s why we bought here.
If the lake disappears, you’re not saving $72 a month — you’re losing $50,000+ in property value. Period.
The math is simple. The choice is clear.
Youngstown Studio
21 WFMJ
WKBN 27 Youngstown OH
Joe Danyi
News Radio 570 WKBN
Lake Tomahawk, Ohio
