Alum Creek Lake was authorized by Section 203 of Flood Control Act of 1962. The primary project purposes are are flood risk reduction, water supply for the Columbus metropolitan area, fish and wildlife, and recreation. The lake is impounded by a rolled earthfill dam, 93 ft. tall and 10,200 ft. long with a gated concrete spillway. The dam was completed in August 1974 and serves a drainage area of 123 square miles.