Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam

TRIBUTARY TO SANDUSKY RIVER· Crawford, Ohio· Built 1900· Earth· 18 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 21.5% in OH)
Dam Length1,070 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage878 acre-ft
Normal Storage220 acre-ft
Surface Area35 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge5,497 cfs
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDOH00151

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 16, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

City of Bucyrus

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam?

Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam?

Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam is owned by City of Bucyrus (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam built?

Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam?

Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam?

Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam has a dam height of 18 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam last inspected?

Bucyrus Reservoir No. 1 Dam was last inspected on May 16, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.