Van Wert Upground Reservoir No. 1

About Van Wert Upground Reservoir No. 1

The primary purpose of Van Wert Upground Reservoir No. 1 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 Van Wert (local government). It impounds the Town Creek - Offstream near Van Wert.

The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 6,680 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 61 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1949, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/04/2022.

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.