BUCKEYE LAKE, Ohio (AP) – The water at central Ohio’s Buckeye Lake is set to be lowered following the state’s decision to maintain winter lake levels until its deteriorated dam can be replaced.
ECONOMIC IMPACT: Read more in the Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says partial draining would begin Thursday and will continue for about a week.
A recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report concluded there’s a high risk of failure at the 4.1-mile earthen dam at Buckeye Lake, about 30 miles east of Columbus. The report said such a failure could put 3,000 lives at risk.
Gov. John Kasich has said Ohio will replace the dam and keep the lake at lower winter levels of about 3 feet.
ODNR tells The Columbus Dispatch recent rains have put the lake more than 10 inches above winter level.