Lake Keomah State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Keomah State Park
Lake Keomah State Park entrance sign
Lake Keomah State Park Location in Iowa
Location	Mahaska, Iowa, United States
Area	366 acres (148 ha)
Elevation	791 ft (241 m)
Established	1934
Governing body	Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Website	Lake Keomah State Park

Lake Keomah State Park is a fun state park located in Mahaska County, Iowa, USA. It's about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Oskaloosa, near Keomah Village. The park covers 366 acres (148 ha) and is built around Lake Keomah, an 83-acre (34 ha) reservoir (a lake made by people).

How Lake Keomah State Park Got Its Name and History

The name Keomah is a mix of two county names: Keokuk and Mahaska. These two counties helped pay for the park to be built.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 776 arrived in Oskaloosa on June 3, 1933. They started working on Lake Keomah. This lake was the very first lake made by people in the state of Iowa.

After the dam and spillway (a structure to release water) were finished in October 1934, the CCC workers focused on stopping soil erosion. They also built many of the park's facilities. Even though it wasn't fully finished, the park was officially opened in 1934.

Back then, the park was 254 acres (103 ha) big. It grew to its current size in 1942. By May 1935, work on the beach had started. The first meals were served in the park's lodge on June 26, 1936. The CCC finished their work in the park in 1937. The original spillway was replaced in 1965.

Historic Areas of Lake Keomah State Park

In 1990, two parts of the park were recognized as important historic districts. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places. These areas are part of a bigger study about Iowa's state parks and the work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Lake Keomah State Park, Bathhouse-Lodge Area (Area A)

Area A includes four historic buildings: the lodge, the bathhouse, and two latrines (restrooms). The road in this area is also considered historic. The buildings were designed in a rustic style. This means they look natural and blend in with the environment.

They are all one-story buildings made of stone with wooden roofs. The old latrines were changed into storage rooms. A boathouse that sticks out from the bathhouse was turned into a snack bar. The bathhouse itself has also been changed for a different use over time.

Lake Keomah State Park, Erosion Control Area (Area B)

Area B has two check dams that are considered historic. These dams were built to help control how soil moves during rainstorms. Each dam has a special dip in the middle. This dip lets water flow down while slowing down the dirt and silt.

These dams are located south of the main park road, in a wooded area. The two dams are about 100 feet (30 m) apart. They are about 3 feet (0.91 m) wide and 31 feet (9.4 m) long at the top. They are made from twelve layers of rough limestone rocks.

Things to Do at Lake Keomah State Park

Lake Keomah State Park has many facilities for visitors to enjoy. You can reserve picnic shelters and the lodge for events. There are also two boat ramps for putting boats in the water.

The park offers many campsites for overnight stays. You can also explore various trails for walking or hiking. Modern showers and restrooms are available for campers. There is also an unsupervised beach where you can relax and enjoy the lake.