Independence Dam
Independence Dam is a concrete dam located in Defiance County, Ohio, built in 1924. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Independence Dam
The primary purpose of Independence 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 Florida.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 652 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 545 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,270 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5,545 square miles. Completed in 1924, the structure is over a century 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 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 04/26/2022.
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Location
| State | Ohio |
| County | Defiance |
| Nearest City | Florida |
| River/Stream | Maumee River |
| Coordinates | 41.29083, -84.28111 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 652 ft |
| Year Completed | 1924 (102 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,270 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,270 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,270 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 545 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5,545 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 122,064 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/26/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00388 |
| Federal ID | OH00388 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |