About the Columbus Watershed Management Section

High-quality water supply sources allow us to provide residents with excellent drinking water at a reasonable cost. The Division of Water created a Watershed Management Section in 1994 to safeguard our drinking water sources and supply. Watershed staff are active in the protection of the water supply, and the care and maintenance of the city-owned property surrounding the reservoirs through a variety of source water protection strategies. Maintenance personnel ensure the park areas are accessible, and service the dams and other water supply infrastructure. Watershed Protection Specialists address water quality issues, assist and educate reservoir visitors, and secure the reservoir properties.

The division works with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department to protect water quality by jointly managing the reservoirs and adjacent land along Hoover, Griggs, and O’Shaughnessy reservoirs. These reservoirs supply 85% of the drinking water treated and distributed to over 1.4 million water consumers in central Ohio. The Watershed Management Section helps the division fulfill a commitment to maintaining the reservoirs for the primary function of providing quality drinking water, while also providing the community with compatible recreational opportunities.

Reservoir water quality is impacted by how the land is used in the surrounding watershed. Flowing surface water, rainfall, or snowmelt, easily picks up contaminants such as motor oil, fertilizer, and litter. These types of pollutants eventually reach rivers and reservoirs where they can lead to algal blooms or harm wildlife. Everyone can help protect the water supply by avoiding practices that cause pollution to enter storm drains or local waterways. Watershed Management encourages all upstream property owners to protect the tributary streams by maintaining a buffer of natural vegetation around waterways, which can filter out many pollutants and limit shoreline erosion. For more tips and information on ways to prevent water pollution, visit, Keep It Clean.

Columbus Watersheds

Columbus obtains much of its drinking water from the Scioto River, which supplies water to Griggs and O’Shaughnessy reservoirs, and the Upper Big Walnut Creek, which supplies Hoover Reservoir. Columbus manages its reservoirs for water supply, not flood control. Reservoir water levels do vary in response to precipitation and water usage. 

 

Hoover Reservoir

Water Source: Upper Big Walnut Creek

Characteristics:

• Large, lake-like water body subject to significant water level fluctuation.
• Boating limited to 10 horsepower (hp)/10 miles per hour (mph) and with boat size limits.
• Popular water sports include fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing, and powerboating.

O’Shaughnessy and Griggs Reservoirs

Water Source: Scioto River

Characteristics:

Recreation Limitations: Swimming, tubing, jet skis or personal watercraft are not allowed in any of the Columbus reservoirs or waterways per Columbus City Code. All watercraft must be registered prior to use, except for paddleboards which are exempt from registration requirements. For a full list of park and waterway rules, please visit Columbus City Code Chapters 919 and Chapter 921.

Many questions regarding the reservoirs, the Land Stewardship Program, and other source water protection strategies are answered in our Frequently Asked Questions.  

For more information about the Watershed Management section, please call 614-645-1721 or email watershed@columbus.gov.

Learn More about other City of Columbus Water Protection Initiatives