Jackson Lake Dam

BLACK FORK· Jackson, Ohio· Built 1939· Earth· 23 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Jackson Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 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	23 ft (taller than 37% in OH)
Dam Length	296 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	3.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage	1.2K acre-ft

Surface Area	220 acres
Drainage Area	18 sq mi
Max Discharge	23,382 cfs
Year Completed	1939 (87 years old)
NID ID	OH00642

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: April 27, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft

State Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Jackson Lake Dam?

Jackson 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 Jackson Lake Dam?

Jackson Lake Dam is owned by ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Jackson Lake Dam built?

Jackson Lake Dam was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Jackson Lake Dam?

Jackson Lake 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 Jackson Lake Dam?

Jackson Lake Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Jackson Lake Dam last inspected?

Jackson Lake Dam was last inspected on April 27, 2021. 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.