O'Shaughnessy Dam (Ohio)


The O'Shaughnessy Dam is located on the Scioto River near Dublin, Ohio, United States. The dam forms O'Shaughnessy Reservoir, which is a major source of drinking water for the city of Columbus. It was completed in 1925 following recommendations of then superintendent Jerry O'Shaughnessy. At the time, the reservoir was described as "the finest inland waterway in the United States." Located upstream of the smaller Griggs Dam, it provides a large area for various forms of recreation in addition to its water supply duties. The reservoir holds over a surface area of. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located on the east bank of the reservoir, near the dam.
In 1990, the dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hydroelectricity

The city of Columbus installed a hydroelectric operation on the west side of the dam, which was completed in 1987. The turbines can only be operated when there is sufficient flow, which means the dam cannot continuously produce electricity. With a head of 18 feet, the two turbines together produce 5 megawatts.
Despite numerous repair attempts the Hydroelectric Turbines have remained offline for approximately 3 years. It is unknown when, if ever, their operation will resume.