To avoid the failure of the Buckeye Lake Dam in Central Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) lowered the lake level. This negatively affected the economy of the area surrounding the lake, which depended on the lake. Silverlode conducted an economic impact study to quantify the potential negative impacts of the lowered lake on economies in the surrounding three-county area and the State of Ohio. The report was used to obtain funding for dam improvements, to alleviate the economic impacts from the lower water level, to assist with public communications, and to help communities prepare for economic changes.