Parsons Avenue Sludge Lagoons

Parsons Avenue Sludge Lagoons is an earth dam located in Franklin County, Ohio, built in 1978. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Parsons Avenue Sludge Lagoons

The primary purpose of Parsons Avenue Sludge Lagoons is tailings. Tailings dams contain waste material from mining operations — typically a slurry of finely ground rock left over after valuable minerals have been extracted. These structures require ongoing monitoring because tailings can contain heavy metals and other contaminants. The dam is owned by City Of Columbus (local government). It impounds the Big Walnut Creek - Offstream.

The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 5,150 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 33 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 625 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 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 12/21/2020.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateOhio
CountyFranklin
River/StreamBig Walnut Creek - Offstream
Coordinates39.84194, -82.98972

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height28 ft
Dam Height28 ft
Dam Length5,150 ft
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage625 acre-ft
Max Storage625 acre-ft
Normal Storage560 acre-ft
Surface Area33 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeTailings
OwnerCity of Columbus
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection12/21/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDOH03178
Federal IDOH03178
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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