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City attorney: court establishes repairs for Knox Cattle Company dam; work to extend into 2026

Mount Vernon City Council · November 25, 2025
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Summary

City counsel reported that Judge Wetzel has identified necessary repairs for the Knox Cattle Company dam after multi‑year litigation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; engineering staff will help implement repairs with a target of returning the dam to compliant operation and removing it from ODNR jurisdiction in 2026.

City legal counsel updated council on the long‑running Knox Cattle Company dam litigation at the Nov. 24 meeting. Counsel said the Ohio Department of Natural Resources began issuing notices in the early 2010s about safety and upkeep concerns, the city attempted to assist homeowners in prior years and ODNR filed suit in 2020. The litigation has continued for several years; Judge Wetzel recently determined the repairs required to bring the dam into compliance.

Counsel said the city's engineering department provided expert analysis and support to both the city and the court; the plan now is to implement the repairs, with work continuing into 2026. Counsel added that removing the dam from ODNR jurisdiction is the goal so that the city can resume issuing building and zoning permits in the affected landings once the dam's status is resolved.

The counsel described the development as "a really long slog" and said the city hopes the fixes will allow the dam to be safely operated and removed from ODNR oversight next year. No council vote was required for the legal update itself; counsel's remarks were presented as an informational briefing.