Westerville Reservoir Dam

Westerville Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Delaware County, Ohio, built in 1960. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Westerville Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of Westerville Reservoir 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 Westerville (local government). It impounds the Tributary To Alum Creek near Westerville.

The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 820 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 52 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,258 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1960, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/03/2020.

At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateOhio
CountyDelaware
Nearest CityWesterville
River/StreamTributary To Alum Creek
Coordinates40.15833, -82.94000

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height47 ft
Dam Height47 ft
Dam Length820 ft
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,258 acre-ft
Max Storage1,258 acre-ft
Normal Storage685 acre-ft
Surface Area52 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge10,690 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerCity of Westerville
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection12/03/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDOH00748
Federal IDOH00748
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

Nearby Dams