Veto Lake Dam

LITTLE HOCKING RIVER· Washington, Ohio· Built 1954· Earth· 38 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Veto Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1954 and is 72 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 38 ft (taller than 79.3% in OH)
Dam Length463 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.1K acre-ft
Surface Area146 acres
Drainage Area20 sq mi
Max Discharge18,130 cfs
Year Completed1954 (72 years old)
NID IDOH00445

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: June 16, 2022
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 Veto Lake Dam?

Veto 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 Veto Lake Dam?

Veto 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 Veto Lake Dam built?

Veto Lake Dam was completed in 1954, making it 72 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 Veto Lake Dam?

Veto 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 Veto Lake Dam?

Veto Lake Dam has a dam height of 38 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 Veto Lake Dam last inspected?

Veto Lake Dam was last inspected on June 16, 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.