Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO DRY FORK WHITEWATER RIVER· Hamilton, Ohio· Built 1967· Earth· 35 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 73.7% in OH)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage614 acre-ft
Surface Area77 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge5,524 cfs
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDOH00192

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: Yes
Last Inspection: May 20, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Great Parks of Hamilton County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam?

Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam 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 Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam?

Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam is owned by Great Parks of Hamilton County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam built?

Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam?

Miami-Whitewater Forest 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 Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam?

Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam last inspected?

Miami-Whitewater Forest Lake Dam was last inspected on May 20, 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.