Lake Forest Dam is an earth dam located in Lawrence County, Ohio, built in 1958. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 37 ft37 ft tall and 600 ft long, taller than 83% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Lake Forest Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Forest Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lake Forest Association (private). It impounds the Tributary to Symmes Creek near Getaway.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 338 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1958, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 04/29/2021.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Ohio |
| County | Lawrence |
| Nearest City | Getaway |
| River/Stream | Tributary to Symmes Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.54306, -82.45694 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
| Year Completed | 1958 (68 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 338 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 338 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 185 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,738 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Lake Forest Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/29/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00144 |
| Federal ID | OH00144 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |