St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam

LITTLE McMAHON CREEK· Belmont, Ohio· Built 1929· Earth· 36 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1929 and is 97 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 36 ft (taller than 76% in OH)
Dam Length285 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage346 acre-ft
Normal Storage158 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge3,479 cfs
Year Completed1929 (97 years old)
NID IDOH00793

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: October 11, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

City of St. Clairsville

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam?

St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 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 St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam?

St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam is owned by City of St. Clairsville (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam built?

St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam was completed in 1929, making it 97 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 St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam?

St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam?

St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam has a dam height of 36 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 St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam last inspected?

St. Clairsville Reservoir No. 1 Dam was last inspected on October 11, 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.