Metzger Upground Reservoir
Metzger Upground Reservoir is an earth dam located in Allen County, Ohio, built in 1946. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Metzger Upground Reservoir
The primary purpose of Metzger Upground Reservoir 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 City Of Lima (local government). It impounds the Ottawa River - Offstream near Lima.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 10,353 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 156 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,346 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1946, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 05/24/2022.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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 | Allen |
| Nearest City | Lima |
| River/Stream | Ottawa River - Offstream |
| Coordinates | 40.73833, -84.04722 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 10,353 ft |
| Year Completed | 1946 (80 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,346 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,346 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,719 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 156 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 800 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Lima |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/24/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00521 |
| Federal ID | OH00521 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |