Event: August 20 Taylorsville Dam Open House Offers Rare Behind-the-Scenes Look at Regional Flood Protection

Community invited to meet the experts and explore the powerful system that protects Southwest Ohio from flooding

VANDALIA, OHIO – August 4, 2025 — The Miami Conservancy District invites the public to a rare open-house tour of the Taylorsville Dam on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to experience the scale, history, and science behind one of southwest Ohio’s most vital flood protection structures.

The Taylorsville Dam, located in northern Montgomery County near Vandalia, is part of Miami Conservancy District’s regional flood protection system—an engineering feat that has successfully prevented catastrophic flooding since 1922. Spanning nearly 3,000 feet across the Great Miami River and standing 67 feet high, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting more than 11,000 acres of land and countless communities downstream.

Tour Highlights:

• Engage directly with MCD engineers and experts
• Learn how this century-old structure is maintained and upgraded to meet today’s challenges
• Explore an exhibit on the historic 1913 flood and the region’s response
• Understand how the system of dams, levees, and storage basins work together to protect people and property

“Many people pass over Taylorsville Dam without realizing the vital role it plays in keeping our region safe,” said MaryLynn Lodor, General Manager of the Miami Conservancy District. “This open house is a chance to show the community how the system works, why it matters, and what it takes to keep it strong for the next 100 years.”

Free Registration Encouraged

While registration is not required, the first 100 people to register will receive a special commemorative gift at the event.

Register here: https://www.facebook.com/events/733556856050812/

This event is family-friendly and accessible to all ages and abilities.

About Taylorsville Dam

• Completed in 1921 after the devastating 1913 flood
• Made of 1.235 million cubic yards of earth
• Features four 40-foot-long concrete conduits to safely pass floodwater
• Protects a 1,100-square-mile drainage area in the Great Miami River Watershed

MCD’s flood protection system doesn’t just keep people safe—it also supports recreation and conservation. Thanks to visionary leadership by the founders, the land around MCD dams remains open to the public and is home to parks, trails, and nature managed in partnership with Five Rivers MetroParks and other park districts and communities.

Media Coverage Welcome

Media outlets are encouraged to attend and cover the event. Opportunities for video footage, expert interviews, and dramatic visuals of the dam’s structure will be available throughout the tour.

About the Miami Conservancy District
Founded in response to the Great 1913 Flood, the Miami Conservancy District is a regional public agency that protects Southwest Ohio communities from flooding, safeguards water resources, and enhances recreational opportunities along the Great Miami River and its tributaries. MCD serves more than 30 communities across nine counties.