Clarence J. Brown Dam
Clarence J. Brown Dam is an earth dam located in Clark County, Ohio, built in 1973. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Clarence J. Brown Dam
The primary purpose of Clarence J. Brown Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Louisville District (federal). It impounds the Buck Creek near Springfield.
The dam stands 98 feet tall and stretches 6,620 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,120 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 63,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 82 square miles. Completed in 1973, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/10/2024.
At 98 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Ohio dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Ohio |
| County | Clark |
| Nearest City | Springfield |
| River/Stream | Buck Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.95000, -83.74667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 98 ft |
| Dam Length | 6,620 ft |
| Year Completed | 1973 (53 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 63,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 63,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 36,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,120 acres |
| Drainage Area | 82 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 50,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Louisville District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/10/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00028 |
| Federal ID | OH00028 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |