Providence Dam
Providence Dam is a concrete dam located in Wood County, Ohio, built in 1907. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Providence Dam
The primary purpose of Providence Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Odnr, Division Of Parks & Watercraft (state). It impounds the Maumee River near Waterville.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 1,188 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,785 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 8,925 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6,058 square miles. Completed in 1907, 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 05/10/2022.
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.
Location
| State | Ohio |
| County | Wood |
| Nearest City | Waterville |
| River/Stream | Maumee River |
| Coordinates | 41.41556, -83.87167 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,188 ft |
| Year Completed | 1907 (119 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 8,925 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 8,925 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 8,925 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,785 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6,058 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/10/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH02768 |
| Federal ID | OH02768 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |