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"Columbus is in the heart of an area that abounds in
small streams. By the building of judiciously located dams
and storage reservoirs, it has been estimated that these
streams could be developed into a water supply system
sufficient ...for 2,500,000 people." Charles
Hoover, chief chemist, 1949
In the 1870s the City of Columbus was a state capital
nestled between the banks of the Scioto and Olentangy
Rivers. As with most thriving communities of those times,
the availability of water played a crucial role in the
growth and prosperity of Columbus.
In 1904, the city began construction of a dam on the Scioto
River just north of Columbus to provide for an adequate
water supply. Julian Griggs, the City's chief engineer used
a plan developed by Samuel Gray, an engineer from
Providence, Rhode Island. The City hired John Gregory, a
consulting engineer from New York, to coordinate the
building of the dam. The dedication of the dam was in 1908.
Jerry O'Shaughnessy, began his career with the City of
Columbus in 1870 as a ditch digger, digging the foundation
for what was to become the new Columbus Waterworks.
Following the 1913 Flood, O'Shaughnessy, then superintendent
of Waterworks, fought efforts to add to the height of the
Griggs Dam by urging the city to build an additional storage
dam further north on the Scioto River, a more feasible
solution. Unfortunately, Mr. O'Shaughnessy did not live to
see completion of what was then said to be the "best inland
city reservoir and dam in the United States." When
O'Shaughnessy Dam was completed in 1925, Columbus had a
water supply to serve a population of one half million -
twice the city's size at the time.
In 1945, much to the surprise of our city planners, Columbus
was nearing the limits of its water supply. Post World War
II growth of population had increased demand for water equal
to a normal 15 year period; and in January 1945, the
watershed froze for three and one half months producing the
longest drought Columbus had ever known. This prompted plans
for a dam on the Big Walnut Creek. In September 1955, the
dam was dedicated "Hoover Dam" in memory of brothers,
Charles and Clarence Hoover, who both served the City of
Columbus Waterworks.
In the late 1960s it became apparent that an additional
water supply would be needed. A study of southern Franklin
county found a large underground water supply between the
Scioto River and Big Walnut Creek. Construction began on
four large Ranney Collector Wells that ranged from 68 to 109
feet deep with laterals totaling more than 6,000 feet
reaching into the aquifer. These wells supply an average of
20 million gallons of water daily to residents in southern
Franklin County.
Today, the three reservoirs provide 85% of the more than 130
million gallons used daily. The remaining 15% is drawn from
the wells in southern Franklin County.
The Scioto River begins as a small creek about 80 miles
north in Hardin County, northwest of Kenton, Ohio. Rolling
through woods and farmlands, this river remains a main water
source for Columbus. The Griggs and O'Shaugnessy Reservoirs,
located on the Scioto River, have a combined storage
capacity of 6.2 billion gallons, holding only a small
percentage of the water that flows through Columbus, and
providing water for downtown, west and northwest Franklin
County. Family picnics, fishing, boating, and waterskiing in
the recreation area surrounding and including both
reservoirs are enjoyed by thousands every summer.
Big Walnut Creek forms about 20 miles northeast of Columbus
and feeds Hoover Reservoir. This reservoir can hold 20.8
billion gallons of water; it supplies water for the entire
northeast portion of Franklin County and provides a
beautiful recreation area for boating and fishing.
The rest of the world is recognizing something that our
leaders in Columbus have known for decades, the most
important part of the water treatment process is protection
of our water sources. The Division resumed responsibility
and management of the reservoirs in 1994. Our Watershed
Management Team is responsible for overseeing the land
management, boat safety, and public education regarding
protection of drinking water sources. In 1996, the Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) approved the
Wellfield Protection Plan we developed.
 Future
Water Sources
 Learn
about the Water Treatment Process
Learn More about Surface Water Quality
Learn More about Drinking Water Quality
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