Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper)

TRIBUTARY TO BIRDS RUN· Guernsey, Ohio· Built 1960· Earth· 26 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) is classified as significant hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 46.4% in OH)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage26 acre-ft
Normal Storage17 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge157 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDOH01008

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 4, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Lois J. Anderson

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper)?

Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper)?

Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) is owned by Lois J. Anderson (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) built?

Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper)?

Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) 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 Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper)?

Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) has a dam height of 26 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 Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) last inspected?

Darrow Lake No. 1 Dam (Upper) was last inspected on October 4, 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.