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 (for whom the dam was named).[2][3] 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).[4] The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located on the east bank of the reservoir, near the dam.

O'Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge
View below the dam
LocationConcord Township / Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio, USA
Nearest cityShawnee Hills, Ohio
Coordinates40°09′14″N 83°07′33″W
Built1922
Built byThompson-Starrett Co.
ArchitectPackard, Franklin L.
Architectural styleLate 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Classical Revival, Second Renaissance Revival
NRHP reference No.90000482[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 5, 1990

In 1990, the dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

Hydroelectricity

The city of Columbus installed a hydroelectric operation on the west side of the dam, which was completed in 1987.[5] 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),[6] the two turbines together produce 5 megawatts.[5][7]

Despite numerous repair attempts the Hydroelectric Turbines have remained offline for approximately 3 years (ostensibly as of August 2018). In January, 2021, The City of Columbus announced plans to repair the hydropower unit and restore the plant to full capacity by 2023.[8]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Cross, Tom (2008). Fishing Ohio: An Angler's Guide to Over 200 Fishing Spots in the Buckeye State. Globe Pequot Press. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-7627-4326-1.
  3. "Water Sources". Department of Public Utilities (City of Columbus, Ohio): Division of Water. Archived from the original on 2006-10-08. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
  4. "2005 Annual Report" (PDF). Department of Public Utilities (City of Columbus, Ohio). Retrieved 2006-10-28.
  5. "Green Power: Turning Water Into Electricity - O'Shaughnessy Hydroelectric Plant". Department of Public Utilities (City of Columbus, Ohio): Division of Water. Archived from the original on 2006-10-09. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
  6. "Hydropower". Green Energy Ohio. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
  7. "Hydroelectricity". Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel. Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2006-10-29.
  8. Bush, Bill. "Columbus to make electricity again with O'Shaughnessy Dam hydro plant refurbishment". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
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