Miami Conservancy District - MCD

Miami Conservancy District - MCD Est. 1915 💧Protecting SW Ohio communities from flooding, preserving water through stewardship, and promoting enjoyment of our waterways MCD is all about water.

Protecting. Preserving. Promoting. Flood Protection

People and businesses along the Great Miami River in southwest Ohio enjoy life without flooding concerns. MCD’s system of five dry dams, retarding basins, 55 miles of levees, and preserved floodplain provide a nearly unparalleled level of protection. Water

Water is the key to healthy people and healthy communities. MCD monitors and protects our

region’s water. River Fun

And water isn’t just for drinking. Rivers are outdoor playgrounds. MCD is working to bring more and more people to the river. Vision

Thriving communities, a healthy watershed and a higher quality of life, sustained by well-managed water resources throughout the watershed.

☀️ It's a Gorgeous Weekend for the Trails — But Check Before You Go!This weekend's sunshine is calling, and the Great Mi...
06/19/2026

☀️ It's a Gorgeous Weekend for the Trails — But Check Before You Go!

This weekend's sunshine is calling, and the Great Miami River Recreation Trail is ready for walkers, runners, and cyclists alike. But after the rain we saw earlier this week, a quick check before you head out could save you a soggy surprise.

Here's why: parts of the trail wind through the Miami Conservancy District's flood storage basins and levees, so at times some sections go underwater — that's actually the system working exactly as it was designed.

The good news? You don't have to leave home and find out the hard way that your favorite stretch is covered in water. The live Bike Trail and River Conditions Map on the Great Miami Riverway website shows real-time water levels and flags trail sections that may be underwater after rain.

📍 In the graphic below, sections marked with a red dot are areas that likely still have some water sitting on the trail from this week's rain.

📱 Download the free Great Miami Riverway app for trail and river conditions on the go — it covers all 99+ miles of river, paved trails, and connected communities across southwest Ohio, with an interactive map, real-time trail and river conditions, and local things to do along the way.

Know before you go, then get out there and enjoy the sunshine! 🚴‍♀️🌳

🔗 Trail Conditions Map: greatmiamiriverway.com/water-data/trail-conditions-map
📲 Get the app: search "Riverway" on the App Store or Google Play

🌧️ HIGH WATER UPDATE —Southwest OhioYesterday's storms dropped 0.75–2 inches of rain across the region, with the heavies...
06/18/2026

🌧️ HIGH WATER UPDATE —Southwest Ohio

Yesterday's storms dropped 0.75–2 inches of rain across the region, with the heaviest totals south of Dayton. The City of Hamilton picked up 1.92" while Dayton saw 0.86".

📍 River levels at Hamilton reached first action stage, so our team closed a floodgate as a precaution. No other flood protection features reached that point, and none of our dams are currently storing water. The parks at Miami Bend in West Carrollton and East River Landing in Moraine are open now - but we are keeping a close eye on rising levels and may need to close them this weekend.

🔮 What's ahead: A low-pressure system moves in Sunday and Monday, bringing another 1–1.5" of rain to the region. River flows are running normal to above-normal for this time of year, and while we're not expecting any storage events from this latest round, early next week's forecast models show storage is possible — along with the chance action stage at Dayton, West Carrollton, and Hamilton could be reached again.

Our team is watching it closely. We'll keep you posted. 💧

High Water Watch: What to know before tonight's stormsHeads up, southwest Ohio — a strong storm system is moving through...
06/17/2026

High Water Watch: What to know before tonight's storms

Heads up, southwest Ohio — a strong storm system is moving through tonight into Thursday, and the Miami Conservancy District is keeping a close eye on the Great Miami River Watershed.

The short version:
✅ River levels are currently normal for this time of year
🌧️ 0.75"–1.75" of additional rain is expected over the next 2 days
⛈️ Tonight brings the highest risk of severe storms — gusty winds up to 38 mph and heavy downpours are possible
🚧 A storage event at Englewood Dam is likely tomorrow, along with first action river stages at West Carrollton and Hamilton.

Water storage at Germantown, Lockington, and Huffman dams — and action stages at Dayton and Middletown — are less likely, we aren't ruling them out.

This is exactly what the Miami Conservancy District regional flood protection system was built for: managing storm runoff to protect our communities. 💪

Looking ahead, NOAA's 6-10 day outlook suggests cooler, wetter conditions may stick around through late June.

Stay safe tonight: avoid flood-prone roads, secure loose outdoor items, and keep an eye on local alerts.

We will continue monitoring conditions and sharing updates as the watershed responds. 📍

👉 Drop a comment if you're seeing heavy rain in your area — we'd love to hear from you!

🚧 South River Walk Upgrade — Trail Closure Starting June 22 🚧Big improvements are coming to the South River Walk — but i...
06/17/2026

🚧 South River Walk Upgrade — Trail Closure Starting June 22 🚧

Big improvements are coming to the South River Walk — but it means a temporary detour for trail users.

What's closing: Only the gravel path between the Main Street Bridge and I-75, on the left bank behind the Downtown Dayton YMCA.

When: June 22, for approximately 100 days (estimated reopening late September/early October 2026)

Why: We're resurfacing this stretch and adding:
💡 New energy-efficient, dark-sky-compliant LED lighting
🪑 New benches
🛝 New swings
🧺 New picnic tables

The Great Miami River Recreational Trail is NOT affected and stays fully open — this closure is limited to the South River Walk gravel connector only. See the map for the closed segment and suggested alternate route.

We know this trail is a daily ritual for a lot of you, and a 100-day closure is no small ask. We appreciate your patience while our contractor, gets this work done safely and efficiently. The result will be a brighter, more comfortable, more welcoming River Walk for years to come.

Questions? Drop them in the comments or email us at [email protected] and we'll get you answers.

⚠️ Update: Our contractor placed some of the closure signs in the wrong spot. We're correcting them now — sorry for any confusion this caused while you were out on the trail.

📍 Map of closure and detour route attached below.

06/16/2026

🦖 Did you know one of Ohio's most famous fossils was discovered during construction of Huffman Dam?

In 1919, Miami Conservancy District crews unearthed a massive trilobite fossil while excavating the dam site. Measuring more than 14 inches long, experts believed it was the largest and most complete trilobite ever found at the time.

The fossil became known as "Pete" and eventually made its way to the Smithsonian Institution. Decades later, local students launched a campaign that helped make the trilobite (Isotelus) Ohio's official state fossil.

Want to see this piece of Ohio history up close?

A cast of the famous Huffman Dam trilobite, thanks to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, will be on display during our Headquarters Open House on June 26. Explore the story behind one of Ohio's most remarkable fossil discoveries, tour our historic headquarters, and learn how a construction project that protects our communities from flooding uncovered a creature that lived nearly 450 million years ago.

📅 June 26
📍 Miami Conservancy District Headquarters
🎟️ Registration requested, Free, and Open to the public

From ancient seas to flood protection—it's a story you won't want to miss.

🌳🚲 Ever wonder what happens when a tree falls across the regional trail system?This morning, a fallen tree completely bl...
06/15/2026

🌳🚲 Ever wonder what happens when a tree falls across the regional trail system?

This morning, a fallen tree completely blocked the Great Miami River bike trail near Carillon Historical Park. Thanks to a quick response from our crews and partners, the obstruction was removed and the trail is now open and passable.

Maintaining many miles of trails means unexpected issues can happen at any time—fallen trees, storm damage, flooding, erosion, and more. Our team works to identify and address these issues as quickly and safely as possible so everyone can continue enjoying the region's trails.

If you encounter a trail hazard, we appreciate hearing about it. Reports from trail users help us respond faster and keep the system safe and accessible for all.

Thank you for your patience when nature occasionally gets in the way—and thank you to the crews who help keep our trails open year-round. 🌿

Why are so many river rescues happening lately?The water may look calm, but rivers can change quickly. Strong currents, ...
06/14/2026

Why are so many river rescues happening lately?

The water may look calm, but rivers can change quickly. Strong currents, hidden hazards, fallen trees, and changing water levels can turn a fun day on the water into an emergency in seconds.

Before you launch:

🗺️ Plan your trip using our water trail maps. Know your route, access points, hazards, and where you'll take out before you ever put a boat in the water.

📈 Check river conditions before you go. Water levels that are perfect one day can be unsafe the next.

🦺 Wear your life jacket. Every trip. Every time. Don't sit in it. Don't wear it open.

👥 Never boat alone. A paddling partner can make all the difference if something goes wrong.

📱 Carry a charged phone in a waterproof case and let someone know your plans.

The best rescue is the one that never has to happen.

A few minutes of planning can help ensure your day on the river ends with great memories—not an emergency call.

🌊 Respect the river. Know before you go. Stay safe out there.

Southwest Ohio received just 0.10–0.25 inches of rain over the past two days, and no flood storage events are expected ...
06/12/2026

Southwest Ohio received just 0.10–0.25 inches of rain over the past two days, and no flood storage events are expected within the Miami Conservancy District flood protection system this weekend.

Saturday looks warm and sunny, with highs in the mid-80s — perfect for getting outside and enjoying southwest Ohio's rivers, trails, and parks. ☀️🚲🚶‍♀️

Keep an eye on the forecast, though. A cold front is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms late Saturday night into Sunday, with cooler temperatures arriving early next week.

🌧 Weekend rainfall forecast: 0.25–0.50 inches
🌡 Highs: Mid-80s Saturday, upper 70s Sunday
🌊 River conditions: No significant flooding concerns expected

We'll continue monitoring conditions and providing updates as needed.

Plan your river or trail trip on our website! And if you're cool you will wear your HELMETS AND LIFEJACKETS :)

Address

38 E. Monument Avenue
Dayton, OH
45402

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Miami Conservancy District - MCD posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Miami Conservancy District - MCD:

Shortcuts

Share

Category