Wolf Run Lake Dam
Wolf Run Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Noble County, Ohio, built in 1966. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Wolf Run Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Wolf Run Lake Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Odnr, Division Of Parks & Watercraft (state). It impounds the Wolf Run near Belle Valley.
The dam stands 76 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 214 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,737 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1966, 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 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 05/14/2025.
At 76 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Noble |
| Nearest City | Belle Valley |
| River/Stream | Wolf Run |
| Coordinates | 39.79056, -81.54806 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 76 ft |
| Dam Height | 76 ft |
| Dam Length | 700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1966 (60 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,737 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 7,737 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,137 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 214 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 19,948 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/14/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00437 |
| Federal ID | OH00437 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |