Lawco Lake Dam

DARBY CREEK· Lawrence, Ohio· Built 1931· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lawco Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1931 and is 95 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 18.2% in OH)
Dam Length480 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage105 acre-ft
Normal Storage45 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge904 cfs
Year Completed1931 (95 years old)
NID IDOH00148

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: November 24, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Lawrence Co. Fish & Game Prot. Assn.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lawco Lake Dam?

Lawco Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lawco Lake Dam?

Lawco Lake Dam is owned by Lawrence Co. Fish & Game Prot. Assn. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lawco Lake Dam built?

Lawco Lake Dam was completed in 1931, making it 95 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 Lawco Lake Dam?

Lawco 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 Lawco Lake Dam?

Lawco Lake Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Lawco Lake Dam last inspected?

Lawco Lake Dam was last inspected on November 24, 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.