Atwood Lake
Encyclopedia
Atwood Lake is a reservoir
located in Tuscarawas
and Carroll
counties in east central Ohio
. The lake is formed by Atwood Dam 40°31′36"N 81°17′5"W across Indian Fork, a tributary of Conotton Creek
. The lake is named for the community of Atwood 40°31′36"N 81°17′5"W which was purchased, demolished and inundated. Evidence of an old rail station and roadbed can also be seen near Dellroy when the lake level is drawn down for winter. In addition to the Indian Fork the lake also has coves to the north up Elliott Run, Willow Run and two unnamed streams along Bark Road and Ohio State Route 542. The dam was completed in September 1936 at a cost of $1,403,900 by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
. The operation of the lake and dam, along with the property immediately surrounding the dam site, was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington
District, after the approval of the Flood Control Act of 1939
by Congress. The MWCD continues to be responsible for the management of much of the reservoir areas behind the dam, serving as a partner to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood reduction. In addition to operating a number of recreation facilities, the MWCD cooperates with the Ohio Division of Wildlife for fishing and hunting management.
Other Structures: None.
Maximum flow of record at the dam site: 3630 cuft/s (01-22-1959)
Reservoir design flood peak flow: 6100 cuft/s
The normal pool level of the lake is 928 feet (282.9 m), at which a 1540 acres (6 km²) reservoir is formed. During times of excessive rain and snow melt, the corps of engineers can impound more water, up to a maximum possible level of 941 feet (286.8 m) with 2460 acres (10 km²). The highest pool of record is 935.56 feet (285.2 m) on March 22, 2008. Levels above normal can cause road closures near the lake. In November of each year the lake is lowered to winter pool of 923 feet to allow more flood capacity, and to freeze and kill the roots of aquatic weeds. Levels are returned to summer pool in the spring.
is scheduled for the park.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
located in Tuscarawas
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
Tuscarawas County is a county located in the eastern part of the state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 92,582. Its county seat is New Philadelphia...
and Carroll
Carroll County, Ohio
Carroll County is a county located in the state of Ohio. As of 2010, the population was 28,836, no change from 2000. Its county seat is Carrollton. It is named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence....
counties in east central Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The lake is formed by Atwood Dam 40°31′36"N 81°17′5"W across Indian Fork, a tributary of Conotton Creek
Conotton Creek
Conotton Creek is a tributary of the Tuscarawas River, 38.7 miles long, in eastern Ohio in the United States. Via the Tuscarawas, Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 286 square miles in Carroll, Harrison and Tuscarawas County,...
. The lake is named for the community of Atwood 40°31′36"N 81°17′5"W which was purchased, demolished and inundated. Evidence of an old rail station and roadbed can also be seen near Dellroy when the lake level is drawn down for winter. In addition to the Indian Fork the lake also has coves to the north up Elliott Run, Willow Run and two unnamed streams along Bark Road and Ohio State Route 542. The dam was completed in September 1936 at a cost of $1,403,900 by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan for flood reduction and water conservation in the Muskingum River Watershed, the state's largest wholly contained watershed, covering more than...
. The operation of the lake and dam, along with the property immediately surrounding the dam site, was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington
Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
District, after the approval of the Flood Control Act of 1939
Flood Control Act of 1939
Flood Control Act of 1939 , enacted on August 11, 1939 by the 76th Congress, is U.S. legislation that authorized construction of flood control projects across the United States...
by Congress. The MWCD continues to be responsible for the management of much of the reservoir areas behind the dam, serving as a partner to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood reduction. In addition to operating a number of recreation facilities, the MWCD cooperates with the Ohio Division of Wildlife for fishing and hunting management.
Atwood Dam
The Atwood Dam is a rolled earth fill with impervious core, 65 feet (20 m) high, 3700 feet (1,128 m) long, with a top width of 30 feet (9 m), and a base width of 360 feet (110 m).Spillway
Uncontrolled chute spillway near left (south) abutment, crest elevation 941 ft, length of crest 95 ft, design discharge 12800 cuft/s with surcharge of 12 ft and freeboard of 2 ft.Outlet Works
Intake structure: Three 3.5 ft x 7 ft gated conduits through south abutment and a stilling basin. To maintain minimum pool, a 1.5 ft diameter siphon is located in each of the two outer conduits, in front of the gates and discharges into the middle conduit below the gate. Invert elevation siphon 927.25.Other Structures: None.
Maximum flow of record at the dam site: 3630 cuft/s (01-22-1959)
Reservoir design flood peak flow: 6100 cuft/s
The normal pool level of the lake is 928 feet (282.9 m), at which a 1540 acres (6 km²) reservoir is formed. During times of excessive rain and snow melt, the corps of engineers can impound more water, up to a maximum possible level of 941 feet (286.8 m) with 2460 acres (10 km²). The highest pool of record is 935.56 feet (285.2 m) on March 22, 2008. Levels above normal can cause road closures near the lake. In November of each year the lake is lowered to winter pool of 923 feet to allow more flood capacity, and to freeze and kill the roots of aquatic weeds. Levels are returned to summer pool in the spring.
Recreation
A public boat launch ramp is located near the dam. The lake has 28 miles (45.1 km) of shoreline. Fish live in the lake. Atwood Lake Park has beach and camping, and other facilities. The Alive FestivalAlive Festival
Alive Festival, located in Mineral City, Ohio, Alive is an annual Christian music festival. It features many Christian musicians and popular Christian bands, as well as several Christian speakers and worship leaders. The festival began in 1988 and celebrated its 20th anniversary June 20–23,...
is scheduled for the park.