Lake Damascus Dam

Lake Damascus Dam is an earth dam located in Knox County, Ohio, built in 2010. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About Lake Damascus Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Damascus Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Damascus Catholic Mission Campus (private). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary To Dry Creek near Mt. Liberty.

The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 1,050 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 240 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 2010, the structure is relatively new.

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 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 10/30/2020.

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.

High HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateOhio
CountyKnox
Nearest CityMt. Liberty
River/StreamUnnamed Tributary To Dry Creek
Coordinates40.34583, -82.66611

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height31 ft
Dam Height31 ft
Dam Length1,050 ft
Year Completed2010 (16 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage240 acre-ft
Max Storage240 acre-ft
Normal Storage210 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge111 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerDAMASCUS CATHOLIC MISSION CAMPUS
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentPoor
Last Inspection10/30/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDOH03205
Federal IDOH03205
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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