Sunnyhill Freshwater Reservoir Dam

Sunnyhill Freshwater Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Perry County, Ohio, built in 1959. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About Sunnyhill Freshwater Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of Sunnyhill Freshwater Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Charles & Kathy Owen (private). It impounds the Tributary To Moxahala Creek near Moxahala.

The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 670 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 23 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 827 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1959, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 12/06/2023.

At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: No

Location

StateOhio
CountyPerry
Nearest CityMoxahala
River/StreamTributary To Moxahala Creek
Coordinates39.67333, -82.18667

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height45 ft
Dam Height45 ft
Dam Length670 ft
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage827 acre-ft
Max Storage827 acre-ft
Normal Storage202 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge11,409 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCharles & Kathy Owen
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentPoor
Last Inspection12/06/2023
Emergency Action PlanNo

Identifiers

NID IDOH00650
Federal IDOH00650
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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