Lakes and Dams
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) was organized for two primary purposes - to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and provide water for public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed.
The plan that was developed to accomplish these goals was the construction of a system of lakes and dams. The dams, which are owned and operated by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), control the flow of water into the Muskingum River.
The lakes impound water and work in tandem with the dams for storage of floodwaters and conservation of floodwaters for beneficial uses.
Each of the 14 MWCD lakes drains to the Muskingum River, which was the foundation for the name Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. The 10 permanent lakes are Atwood, Beach City, Charles Mill, Clendening, Leesville, Piedmont, Pleasant Hill, Seneca, Tappan and Wills Creek. Bolivar, Dover, Mohawk and Mohicanville dams impound water only in times of high water and are commonly identified as "dry dams."
The MWCD manages much of the lake areas, which are the areas behind the dams where easements were acquired to store water as necessary for the safe release downstream. This includes areas beyond the permanent lakes.
Two additional dams and lakes - Dillon near Zanesville in Muskingum County and North Branch Kokosing near Fredericktown in Knox County - were constructed after the original 14 by the USACE as part of the flood-reduction system. The USACE manages both of these projects exclusively, although the MWCD does operate a campgrounds at North Branch Kokosing through an agreement with the USACE.
Atwood Lake Park
Atwood Lake Park is located in Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties. An easy drive from Akron and Cleveland, Atwood Lake Park is a close getaway vacation. Atwood is one of the state's -- and region's -- top lakes for sailing and pleasure boating.
9298 Atwood Lake Road
Mineral City, OH 44656
(330) 343-6780
Bolivar Dam
Location: Tuscarawas County
Length: 6,300 feet
Height: 87 feet
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 11614 Glen Park Road N.E.
Bolivar, OH 44612
Charles Mill Lake Park
Located near Mansfield, Charles Mill is a quiet place to relax and enjoy nature. The park entrance is located near the junction of State Routes 430 and 603. The park features over 500 campsites in two campground locations, cabins, swimming beach and more.
1277 State Route 430
Mansfield, OH 44903
(419) 368-6885
Dover Dam
Location: Tuscarawas County
Length: 824 feet
Height: 83 feet above streambed
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office, 5135 State Route 800 N.E.
Dover, OH 44622
(330) 343-5725
Mohawk Dam
Location: Coshocton County
Length: 2,300 feet
Height: 115.5 feet
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 36007 State Route 715
Warsaw, OH 43844
Mohicanville Dam
Location: Ashland County
Length: 1,220 feet
Height: 46 feet
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2297 Country Road 175
Lakeville, OH 44638
Pleasant Hill Lake Park
Located near Perrysville, Pleasant Hill Lake offers camping, water skiing, hiking and swimming. The park features 380 campsites, cabins, horse camp and trails, swimming beach and more.
3431 State Route 95
Perrysville, OH 44864
(419) 938-7884
Seneca Lake Park
An easy drive from Cambridge and Marietta, Seneca is the largest of the MWCD lakes and the third largest inland lake in Ohio. The park features 513 campsites in two locations, cabins, swimming beach, nature center, amphitheater and more.
22172 Park Road
Senecaville, OH 43780
(740) 685-6013
Tappan Lake Park
Located between Cadiz and Uhrichsville, Tappan Lake is great for camping, swimming, boating, fishing and hiking. The park offers over 500 campsites, cabins, swimming beach, trail connection to Tappan Wetlands wildlife area and more.
84000 Mallarnee Rd., PO Box 29
Deersville, OH 44693
(740) 922-3649
2010 Atwood Labor Day Fireworks at Atwood Lake Park
Sat, September 4: 12:00am Free kayak classes at Atwood Lake Park beach at Atwood Lake Park beach
Sat, September 11: 8:00am MWCD Board of Directors meeting at New Philadelphia City Council Chambers
Fri, September 17: 9:00am Free "Quick Start Your Kayak" class at Tappan Lake Park at Tappan Lake Park
Sat, September 25: 9:00am 28th Annual Atwood Area Fall Festival at Atwood Lake Park
Fri, October 1: 12:00am
