Refinery Upground West Reservoir

OTTAWA RIVER - OFFSTREAM· Allen, Ohio· Built 1968· Earth· 9 ft tall
Significant Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Refinery Upground West Reservoir is classified as significant hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is tailings. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 0.9% in OH)
Dam Length1,500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage152 acre-ft
Normal Storage90 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,231 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDOH00527

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: No
Last Inspection: June 8, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Lima Refining Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Refinery Upground West Reservoir?

Refinery Upground West Reservoir 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 Refinery Upground West Reservoir?

Refinery Upground West Reservoir is owned by Lima Refining Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Refinery Upground West Reservoir built?

Refinery Upground West Reservoir was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Refinery Upground West Reservoir?

Refinery Upground West Reservoir serves the following purposes: Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Refinery Upground West Reservoir?

Refinery Upground West Reservoir has a dam height of 9 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 Refinery Upground West Reservoir last inspected?

Refinery Upground West Reservoir was last inspected on June 8, 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.