Lake Rupert Dam
Lake Rupert Dam is an earth dam located in Vinton County, Ohio, built in 1968. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Lake Rupert Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Rupert 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 Odnr, Division Of Wildlife (state). It impounds the Little Raccoon Creek near Hamden.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 1,510 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 325 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,459 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 22 square miles. Completed in 1968, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/11/2021.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% 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 | Vinton |
| Nearest City | Hamden |
| River/Stream | Little Raccoon Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.17639, -82.52083 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,510 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,459 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 7,459 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,245 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 325 acres |
| Drainage Area | 22 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 41,465 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | ODNR, Division of Wildlife |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/11/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00073 |
| Federal ID | OH00073 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |