Built 1922 NRHP Reference # 90000482 Area 2 ha Nearest city Shawnee Hills | Built by Thompson-Starrett Co. Opened 1922 Added to NRHP 5 July 1990 | |
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Architectural style Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Classical Revival, Second Renaissance Revival Similar Griggs Reservoir, Ohio Governor's Mansion, Hoover Dam, Olentangy Indian Caverns, Alum Creek | ||
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 (for whom the dam was named). At the time, the reservoir was described as "the finest inland waterway in the United States." Located 10 miles (16 km) 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 6.3 billion US gallons (24,000,000 m3) over a surface area of 845 acres (3.42 km2). The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located on the east bank of the reservoir, near the dam.
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Map of O'Shaughnessy Dam, Powell, OH 43065, USA
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 (5.5 m), the two turbines together produce 5 megawatts.