Cowan Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cowan Lake State Park |
|
|---|---|
Sunset on Cowan Lake
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Clinton County, Ohio, United States |
| Area | Land: 1,075 acres (435 ha) Water: 700 acres (280 ha) |
| Elevation | 958 ft (292 m) |
| Established | 1968 |
| Administered by | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Ohio state park |
| Website | Cowan Lake State Park |
Cowan Lake State Park is a fun outdoor area in Clinton County, Ohio. It covers about 1,075 acres of land and 700 acres of water. This park is a great place to visit all year round! Many people love coming here to watch the different kinds of birds. The park is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Contents
Park History
Long ago, the land where Cowan Lake State Park now stands was home to Native American tribes. These included the Miami and Shawnee peoples. In 1794, an event called the Battle of Fallen Timbers took place. After this, the land became open for American settlers.
One of the first settlers in this area was William Smalley. He knew a lot about the land and its languages. This made him very helpful for the new settlers in what became Clinton County, Ohio.
How the Lake Was Formed
Cowan Creek was named after an early surveyor, John Cowan. In 1950, a dam was built across this creek. This created Cowan Lake. The lake covers about 695 acres. Because of this new lake, Cowan Lake State Park was officially created in 1968.
Nature and Wildlife
Cowan Lake State Park sits on top of limestone rock. This rock is full of fossils! These are the preserved remains of ancient plants and animals. Both scientists and hobbyists love to study these fossils. Long, long ago, much of Ohio was covered by huge inland seas. As the Appalachian Mountains formed, the old seafloor was pushed up. This is why we see limestone with fossils today.
Forests and Animals
Around Cowan Lake, you'll find a deciduous forest. This means the trees, like beech and maple, lose their leaves in the fall. The mix of lake and forest makes the park a perfect spot for birdwatching. You might see:
- Mallards
- American wigeons
- Mergansers
- Great blue herons
- Green-backed herons
- Killdeer
- Eastern bluebirds
- Catbirds
Besides birds, common mammals in the park include groundhogs, skunks, raccoons, and opossums.
Unique Plants
The park is also home to special plants. You can find bloodroot and wild ginger. A very interesting plant is the American lotus. This is a type of water lily that grows well in the shallow parts of Cowan Lake. Its leaves are very large, and it has beautiful yellow flowers.
Fun Activities
Cowan Lake State Park offers many ways to have fun outdoors. You can enjoy:
- Picnic areas and pavilions
- Four miles of hiking trails
- Cozy cottages for rent
- Campsites for tents and RVs
- Boating on the lake
- Swimming
- Fishing
Fishing in Cowan Lake
If you like to fish, Cowan Lake is a great place. Some of the common fish you can catch here include:
