Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO QUEER CREEK· Hocking, Ohio· Built 1972· Earth· 64 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 64 ft (taller than 96.6% in OH)
Dam Length535 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage504 acre-ft
Normal Storage391 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge936 cfs
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDOH00249

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: November 14, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam?

Old Man'S Cave 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 Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam?

Old Man'S Cave 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 Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam built?

Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam?

Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam?

Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam has a dam height of 64 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 Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam last inspected?

Old Man'S Cave Lake Dam was last inspected on November 14, 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.