Oxbow Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY TO MUD CREEK - OFFSTREAM· Defiance, Ohio· Built 1953· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Oxbow Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 21.5% in OH)
Dam Length370 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage257 acre-ft
Normal Storage161 acre-ft
Surface Area39 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge74 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDOH00640

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: June 26, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

ODNR, Division of Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Oxbow Lake Dam?

Oxbow 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 Oxbow Lake Dam?

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

When was Oxbow Lake Dam built?

Oxbow Lake Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Oxbow Lake Dam?

Oxbow 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 Oxbow Lake Dam?

Oxbow Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Oxbow Lake Dam last inspected?

Oxbow Lake Dam was last inspected on June 26, 2018. 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.