New Lexington Reservoir Dam
New Lexington Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Perry County, Ohio, built in 1936. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About New Lexington Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of New Lexington 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 Village Of New Lexington (local government). It impounds the Tributary To Little Rush Creek near New Lexington.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 325 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 35 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 707 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1936, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/16/2022.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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 | Perry |
| Nearest City | New Lexington |
| River/Stream | Tributary To Little Rush Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.73389, -82.21556 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 325 ft |
| Year Completed | 1936 (90 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 707 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 707 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 463 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 35 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,187 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Village of New Lexington |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/16/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00798 |
| Federal ID | OH00798 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |