Structure 1: Meeks Lake

Learn about Meeks Lake’s location, key statistics, and view photos capturing the lake and surroundings.

Structure 1: Meeks Lake

Meeks Lake is Site #1 for Margaret Creek Conservancy District (MCCD). This site is the furthest upstream flood control structure of the five structures on Margaret Creek and is located 1 mile east of Albany, Ohio and eight miles southwest of Athens. Site #1 has a floodwater-retarding dam of compacted earth fill constructed in 1972. This structure is classified by ODNR as a hazard Class I dam. It is 31.5 feet high and controls the runoff from 3.4 square miles. A permanent pool of 17 surface acres provides sediment storage. The principal spillway is a reinforced concrete pipe system, which maintains the normal pool level and regulates the passage of flood flows. It consists of an NRCS standard covered top riser with trash rack, a 36-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe, and a concrete impact-stilling basin as an outlet structure. The emergency spillway is 120 feet wide and is designed to safely pass 6.75 inches of rainfall occurring in a 6-hour period. The dam was also designed to pass 13.0 inches of rain occurring in a 6-hour period without overtopping the dam. A 12-inch diameter lake drain allows the lake to be lowered for emergencies or maintenance.

In addition to the sediment storage, the dam provides 404 acre-feet of floodwater retarding volume below the auxiliary spillway crest. The National Inventory of Dams (NID) number is OH00960.

Stats

Drainage Area....................................................2,234 Acres

Total Storage.....................................................552 Acre Feet

Floodwater Retarding Storage........................404 Acre Feet

Water Surface Area...........................................17 Acres

Height Of Dam...................................................31.5 Feet

Volume Of Fill.....................................................36,400 Cubic Yards

Built in 1972 under The Watershed Protection And Flood Prevention Act by Margaret Creek Conservancy District
, the 
Athens County Board of Commissioners and the 
Athens Soil and Water Conservation District
 with assistance of 
Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Dept. Of Agriculture
.

Constructed under PL566

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Rehabilitation Assessment Report of Margaret Creek Site 1 - Meeks Lake (PDF, 5 MB): Site_1_Dam_Assessment

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ODNR Safety Inspection (PDF, 6 MB):ODNR_Dam_Safety_Inspection_Report_Site_1

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A landscape featuring a golf course with trimmed grass, a pond, and several structures in the distance. Trees and undulating hills are scattered throughout, under an overcast sky.
A rural landscape with a pond or small lake in the foreground, featuring two birdhouses on poles. The background has rolling hills with autumn trees and a house partially hidden by trees. The sky is partly cloudy with an overhead power line in the upper left corner.
A rural landscape with a pond or small lake in the center, featuring a dam and overflow structure. The foreground has a wooden fence, and trees with some yellow leaves suggest it’s autumn. The background includes a grassy hill leading to farmland under a clear blue sky.
A green informational plaque detailing the specifications of the ‘Margaret Creek Watershed Project Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 1,’ including data on drainage area, storage, dam height, and construction details.
A calm lakeside scene with a grassy area and benches on the right. A leafless tree stands in the foreground on the left. The lake reflects a clear sky, with houses and trees in the distance.
body of water, likely a lake or pond, with a picturesque backdrop of trees displaying autumn colors in shades of green, yellow, and orange.
a large, trapezoidal concrete structure located at the edge of a body of water. It has a metal grate on one side and an access hatch or door on the top, suggesting it might be used for maintenance or monitoring.
landscape with a reflective body of water, a small structure on the far bank, and surrounding grassy fields and trees, indicating a seasonal change.
a small stream flowing through a grassy field with a partially submerged wooden fence and a single tree on the left, indicating recent heavy rainfall or overflow.
outdoor scene with a concrete water channel or culvert, likely part of an irrigation system or flood prevention infrastructure. It highlights a practical application of civil engineering in managing water resources.