Infrastructure safety became a priority at Mt. Gilead Lake after the original lower dam, constructed in 1930, was found to have serious problems including insufficient storage-discharge capacity, seepage, and deterioration of its concrete spillway. Beginning in Fall, 2016, work modified the earthen embankment of the lower dam and built a new spillway after the lake was drained to reach and demolish the original 20-foot-tall, 90-foot-long concrete overflow spillway. The replacement uses a concrete labyrinth spillway design that compresses the needed spillway length into a smaller concrete footprint, controls outgoing flows through its geometry, and allows higher normal lake levels. Similar spillway designs were used in renovations at Lake Loramie, Indian Lake, and Blue Rock state parks, but this design is unique for Ohio dams. The project at Mt. Gilead State Park also improved the Upper Dam and the outflow channel below the Lower Dam and new spillway, completing a full lake rehabilitation that improved sport fishing, boating, and paddling opportunities.