In the early 1960s, Ohio experienced one of its worst droughts in recorded history. Many communities were caught desperately short of water supply. Subsequently, Ohio voters approved a state-wide bond issue for comprehensive water planning and water supply development. The Northwest Ohio Water Plan, the first in a series of five regional water plans produced by the Division of Water, recommended construction of upground reservoirs for local and regional water supply. Cooperative reservoir projects developed pursuant to the Northwest Ohio Water Plan are as follow:
Cooperative Agreements
Cooperative agreements govern the operation and management of reservoir projects developed pursuant to the Northwest Ohio Water Plan. All real estate in cooperative municipal-state projects is the property of the municipalities. The agreements specify cost-share provisions for land acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of the reservoirs. Municipalities are responsible under terms of the agreements for operating the reservoirs and maintaining them in their original condition. Water sales provisions are included in the agreements and all projects are open to the public for water based recreation. All of the above projects with the exception of Killdeer Reservoir, are cooperative municipal-state projects. Killdeer Reservoir, located on the Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot County, is a state facility jointly operated by the Division of Water and the Division of Wildlife with no municipal involvement.
Contract Administration
The Division of Water of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources provides contract administration for upground reservoir projects constructed under cooperative agreement pursuant to the Northwest Ohio Water Plan. Monthly water measurements are made to track: reservoir water levels, water supply withdrawals, and pumpage to refill the reservoirs. These data are used to calculate pumpage cost allocations and water sales amounts. Quarterly or semiannual accounting of all operation and maintenance costs are prepared for each project. Decisions about major repairs and other extraordinary problems arising at the cooperative projects are made after consultation between the parties to the agreements. Contract administration to fulfill state requirements under terms of the cooperative agreements is primarily the responsibility of the Watershed Hydrology Program. All of the original bond issue monies for construction of cooperative reservoirs has been dedicated; current funding is from water sales receipts and general revenue sources.
Contact:
Mike Hallfrisch, P.E., Supervisor
Phone: (614) 265-6745
E-mail: mike.hallfrisch@dnr.state.oh.us