William H. Harsha Dam
Key Takeaway
William H. Harsha Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 Length | 1,450 ft |
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| Max Storage | 294.8K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 92.6K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,160 acres |
| Drainage Area | 342 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 211,000 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1973 (53 years old) |
| NID ID | OH00929 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
USACE - Louisville District
Federal Government
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What is the hazard classification of William H. Harsha Dam?
William H. Harsha 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 William H. Harsha Dam?
William H. Harsha Dam is owned by USACE - Louisville District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was William H. Harsha Dam built?
William H. Harsha Dam was completed in 1973, making it 53 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 William H. Harsha Dam?
William H. Harsha Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Other, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
When was William H. Harsha Dam last inspected?
William H. Harsha Dam was last inspected on August 3, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.