Paint Creek Dam was authorized by Section 4 of Flood Control Act of 1938. The primary project purposes are flood risk reduction, water supply storage for Greenfield, OH, low flow augmentation, recreation, and water quality improvement for Chillicothe, OH. Land includes 9,614 fee acres and 568 flowage easement acres. There are three recreation areas at the project. The Corps of Engineers recreation areas include a day use area.