Rocky Fork Lake Dam

ROCKY FORK OF PAINT CREEK· Highland, Ohio· Built 1952· Concrete· 74 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Rocky Fork Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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	74 ft (taller than 97.7% in OH)
Dam Length	380 ft
Dam Type	Concrete
Max Storage	87.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage	35.3K acre-ft

Surface Area	2,100 acres
Drainage Area	109 sq mi
Max Discharge	42,489 cfs
Year Completed	1952 (74 years old)
NID ID	OH00302

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: May 8, 2018

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft

State Government

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Paint Creek Dam - Little Pond Dam

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Paint Creek Dam

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Cave Lake Dam

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Woodland Lake Leisure Resort Dam

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Woodland Altars Lake Dam

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Long'S Retreat Lake Dam

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Hillsboro Upground Reservoir

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rocky Fork Lake Dam?

Rocky Fork 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 Rocky Fork Lake Dam?

Rocky Fork 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 Rocky Fork Lake Dam built?

Rocky Fork Lake Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Rocky Fork Lake Dam?

Rocky Fork 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 Rocky Fork Lake Dam?

Rocky Fork Lake Dam has a dam height of 74 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 Rocky Fork Lake Dam last inspected?

Rocky Fork Lake Dam was last inspected on May 8, 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.