For over 100 years, Lockington Dam has stood strong, protecting downstream communities in Southwest Ohio from destructive floodwaters including Piqua, Troy, Dayton, and Hamilton. Despite the ravages of time and weather extremes, the dam has never failed in its mission. However, like all aging structures, it requires attention to keep it strong and functioning as designed. The severe deterioration of its concrete made Lockington Dam a top priority for the Miami Conservancy District (MCD).
Recognizing the importance of addressing these issues, MCD initiated a comprehensive rehabilitation project that has spanned several years. The primary focus: restoring Lockington's aging concrete structures to ensure continued flood protection for the region.
Tackling a Century’s Worth of Wear
Inspections by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and a detailed stability analysis revealed the urgent need for repairs. The dam’s concrete outlet works was a focal point of concern. As MCD Chief Engineer Don O’Connor noted, “The upstream retaining walls at Lockington were in some of the worst condition of all the dams, making it a high priority for repairs.” The resulting projects focused on a series of critical actions:
These upgrades required a blend of cutting-edge technology and traditional engineering methods, with the use of hydrodemolition, concrete pouring, and specialized materials. So far, MCD has completed about 60% of the concrete rehabilitation work at Lockington, with the remaining 40% still to come.
Strengthening the Future with Modern Engineering
While the restoration of Lockington Dam is not complete, significant progress has been made. One of the most impactful updates was the installation of vertical rock anchors through the concrete and into bedrock to enhance the structural stability of the walls. Additionally, new drainage systems were installed on the land side of the retaining walls to manage water in the soil, ensuring that water won’t compromise the structure.
The success of this project is largely due to MCD’s Dam Safety Initiative (DSI), which kicked off in the year 2000 as the first major capital rehabilitation effort implemented since construction of the dams were completed in 1922. To date, over $6 million has been invested in Lockington Dam improvements through DSI and a low-interest loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority.
The Legacy of the Dam Safety Initiative
The Dam Safety Initiative, the largest capital reinvestment in MCD's flood protection system since the original construction of the dams, focused on three key areas:
MCD’s Board of Consultants—a group of world-renowned engineers specializing in dam and levee safety—played a crucial role in guiding the rehabilitation efforts. Their expertise helped MCD identify risks and prioritize solutions to the challenges posed by porous foundations, eroding concrete, and the constant threat of underseepage.
Lockington’s Future: Strengthened and Safe
As one of MCD's key dams, Lockington has been critical to flood protection in the Miami Valley for over a century, storing flood waters over 430 times through 2024. The current rehabilitation work ensures that it will continue to serve that purpose well into the future. While more work remains, the progress made so far is a testament to MCD’s commitment to maintaining and modernizing its infrastructure.
Through careful planning, expert engineering, and community investment, the Miami Conservancy District is ensuring that the Lockington Dam—and all its dams—remain as reliable as ever, protecting lives and property from the forces of nature.
