Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO DUTCH FORK· Licking, Ohio· Built 1954· Earth· 22 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1954 and is 72 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. 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 22 ft (taller than 33.3% in OH)
Dam Length920 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage72 acre-ft
Normal Storage42 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge612 cfs
Year Completed1954 (72 years old)
NID IDOH00472

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: December 9, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

The Dawes Arboretum

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam?

Dawes Arboretum Lake 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 Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam?

Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam is owned by The Dawes Arboretum (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam built?

Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam was completed in 1954, making it 72 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 Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam?

Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam?

Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam last inspected?

Dawes Arboretum Lake Dam was last inspected on December 9, 2020. 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.