Julian Griggs Dam
Julian Griggs Dam is a concrete dam located in Franklin County, Ohio, built in 1905. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Julian Griggs Dam
The primary purpose of Julian Griggs 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 Columbus (local government). It impounds the Scioto River near Upper Arlington.
The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 983 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 385 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 16,412 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,044 square miles. Completed in 1905, the structure is over a century 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/19/2023.
At 52 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
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 | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Upper Arlington |
| River/Stream | Scioto River |
| Coordinates | 40.01556, -83.09389 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Length | 983 ft |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 16,412 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 16,412 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,322 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 385 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,044 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 136,562 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Columbus |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/19/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00740 |
| Federal ID | OH00740 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |