Hammertown Lake Dam
Hammertown Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Jackson County, Ohio, built in 1954. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Hammertown Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Hammertown Lake Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Jackson (local government). It impounds the Tributary To Buckeye Creek near Sharon.
The dam stands 60 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 170 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,239 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1954, 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. 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 11/03/2022.
At 60 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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 | Jackson |
| Nearest City | Sharon |
| River/Stream | Tributary To Buckeye Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.05639, -82.68472 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,239 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,239 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 170 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,135 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Jackson |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/03/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00507 |
| Federal ID | OH00507 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |