Lake Loramie Dam
Lake Loramie Dam is an earth dam located in Shelby County, Ohio, built in 1844. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Lake Loramie Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Loramie Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Odnr, Division Of Parks & Watercraft (state). It impounds the Loramie Creek near Fort Loramie.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 8,230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 629 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 11,717 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 78 square miles. Completed in 1844, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/07/2024.
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 | Shelby |
| Nearest City | Fort Loramie |
| River/Stream | Loramie Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.35750, -84.35889 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 8,230 ft |
| Year Completed | 1844 (182 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 11,717 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 11,717 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,266 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 629 acres |
| Drainage Area | 78 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,321 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/07/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00442 |
| Federal ID | OH00442 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |