Highlandtown Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Highlandtown Lake |
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Panorama view from south end of dam
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 Highlandtown Lake
Location in Ohio
Highlandtown Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Washington Township, Columbiana County, Ohio |
| Coordinates | 39°34′23″N 84°44′36″W / 39.57306°N 84.74333°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Surface elevation | 1,073 feet (327 m) |
Highlandtown Lake is a lake made by people in Washington Township, Columbiana County, Ohio. It was created in 1966 when the State of Ohio built a dam. This dam held back water from the Little Yellow Creek, forming a lake that covers about 170 acres (0.69 km2). Before the lake was filled, the area was improved to create good homes for fish and other wildlife.
The lake has about 5 miles (8.0 km) of shoreline. At its deepest point, it is about 26 feet (7.9 m) deep. Highlandtown Lake sits about 1,100 feet (340 m) above sea level. The dam itself is made of earth and rocks. It is 44 feet (13 m) tall and 1,476 feet (450 m) long.
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Exploring Highlandtown Lake
Highlandtown Lake is a great place for outdoor fun! It is part of a much larger area called the Highlandtown Wildlife Area. This whole area covers about 2,265 acres (9.17 km2).
Where is Highlandtown Lake?
The lake is located in Wildlife District Three, managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. It is very close to a small community known as Highlandtown. You can find it about four miles northeast of Salineville if you take State Route 39. It's also about nine miles south of Lisbon via State Route 164. If you are coming from Wellsville, it's about 11 miles northwest on State Route 39.
Some roads that used to go through the area are now covered by the lake. For example, a part of Steubenville Pike Road (Township Road 776) now ends at the lake. Osborne Road crosses one arm of the lake, and Charles Mill Road (County Highway 413) crosses another arm to the north.
Nature Around the Lake
The area around Highlandtown Lake is a special kind of forest. It's called an Appalachian mixed mesophytic forest. This means it has a mix of many different types of trees and plants. The lake itself is at the very beginning, or "headwaters," of the Little Yellow Creek.
Fish in Highlandtown Lake
Highlandtown Lake is home to many different kinds of fish, making it a popular spot for fishing!
Fish Species
When the lake was first created in 1967, it was stocked with several types of fish. These included:
Today, you can also find other fish like black crappie, brown bullheads, and pumpkinseeds. There are also other kinds of sunfish.
Changes in Fish Life
Around the year 2000, a new type of fish called the American gizzard shad appeared in the lake. These fish eat tiny plants and animals in the water. Because of this new food source, the largemouth bass in the lake started to grow bigger. However, the bluegills became smaller.
To help control weeds in the lake, white amurs, also known as grass carp, were introduced. These fish eat a lot of plants. While they helped clear out the weeds, they also removed some of the thick weed beds. These weed beds were good hiding and fishing spots for bass.
If you want to know more about fishing conditions or get a map of the lake, you can contact the Highlandtown Wildlife Area.
Facilities for Visitors
Highlandtown Lake offers several facilities to make your visit enjoyable. You will find places to park your car and ramps where you can launch your boat. There is also a special dock designed for people with disabilities, making it easier for everyone to enjoy fishing. Please note that camping is not allowed in the Highlandtown Wildlife Area.
