Muskingum River Lock and Dam No. 8 is a timber crib dam located in Morgan County, Ohio, built in 1841. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 20 ft20 ft tall and 525 ft long. 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 Muskingum River Lock and Dam No. 8
The primary purpose of Muskingum River Lock and Dam No. 8 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 Muskingum River near Rockeby Lock.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 525 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 615 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,576 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7,386 square miles. Completed in 1841, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 11/30/2023.
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Location
| State | Ohio |
| County | Morgan |
| Nearest City | Rockeby Lock |
| River/Stream | Muskingum River |
| Coordinates | 39.73250, -81.90889 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Timber Crib |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 525 ft |
| Year Completed | 1841 (185 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,576 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,576 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,576 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 615 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7,386 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 17,903 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Odnr, Division of Parks & Watercraft |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/30/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OH00698 |
| Federal ID | OH00698 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |