Westerville Reservoir Dam

TRIBUTARY TO ALUM CREEK· Delaware, Ohio· Built 1960· Earth· 47 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Westerville Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 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 47 ft (taller than 89.7% in OH)
Dam Length820 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage685 acre-ft
Surface Area52 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge10,690 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDOH00748

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: December 3, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

City of Westerville

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Westerville Reservoir Dam?

Westerville Reservoir 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 Westerville Reservoir Dam?

Westerville Reservoir Dam is owned by City of Westerville (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Westerville Reservoir Dam built?

Westerville Reservoir Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Westerville Reservoir Dam?

Westerville Reservoir 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 Westerville Reservoir Dam?

Westerville Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 47 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 Westerville Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Westerville Reservoir Dam was last inspected on December 3, 2020. 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.