Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam

BLOCKHOUSE RUN· Jefferson, Ohio· Built 1974· Earth· 242 ft tall
High Hazard Tailings Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is tailings. 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 242 ft (taller than 99.7% in OH)
Dam Length1,300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.9K acre-ft
Surface Area80 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge10,930 cfs
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDOH00920

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: November 7, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Cardinal Operating Company

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam?

Cardinal Fly Ash 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 Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam?

Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam is owned by Cardinal Operating Company (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam built?

Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam?

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

How tall is Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam?

Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam has a dam height of 242 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 Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam last inspected?

Cardinal Fly Ash No. 1 Dam was last inspected on November 7, 2022. 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.