Government recommends draining Ohio lake because of weak dam

BUCKEYE LAKE, Ohio (AP) — The chance of a catastrophic dam failure is so high at a central Ohio lake that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recommended the popular recreational reservoir be drained until repairs can be made.

The Corps was brought in by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to assess the safety of the dam at Buckeye Lake, about 30 miles east of Columbus. The agency recommended the lake be drained or the 180-year-old dam be replaced immediately to prevent potential failure.

The report released Wednesday said a dam failure could endanger the lives of 3,000 people who live and work near the lake.

The state says it will keep the nearly 5-square-mile lake at lower winter levels until it can evaluate the report. That could have huge consequences because most boating wouldn’t be possible with reduced water levels, causing a ripple effect on tourism at the marinas, bars, restaurants and other shops in the surrounding villages of Buckeye Lake, Thornville and Millersport.