Leesville Lake (Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leesville Lake |
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Dam on left, north branch ahead
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 Leesville Lake
Location in Ohio
Leesville Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Orange, Monroe and Perry Township, Carroll County, Ohio |
| Coordinates | 40°28′06″N 81°11′41″W / 40.46833°N 81.19472°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | McGuire Creek and others |
| Primary outflows | McGuire Creek |
| Catchment area | 48 sq mi (120 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 4.6 mi (7.4 km) to 5.5 mi (8.9 km) |
| Surface area | 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) to 1,470 acres (5.9 km2) |
| Water volume | 19,500 to 37,400 acre-feet (24,100,000 to 46,100,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 963 ft (294 m) to 977.5 ft (297.9 m) |
Leesville Lake is a man-made lake, also called a reservoir, located near Leesville, Ohio. It was created by building Leesville Dam 40°28′6″N 81°11′41″W / 40.46833°N 81.19472°W across McGuire Creek. The lake gets its name from the nearby village of Leesville.
The lake has a 'C' shape. McGuire Creek forms the south branch. The north branch is formed by the North Fork McGuire Creek and Bear Hole Run. The dam was finished in October 1936. It cost $941,000 to build. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) built it.
Later, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took over running the dam and the land around it. This happened after a law called the Flood Control Act of 1939 was passed. The MWCD still helps manage much of the lake area. They work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help prevent floods. The MWCD also runs many fun places for people to visit. They work with the Ohio Division of Wildlife to manage fishing and hunting.
Contents
Leesville Dam: How It Works
The Leesville Dam is made of packed earth with a strong inner core. It stands 74 feet (23 meters) tall. The top of the dam is 1,695 feet (517 meters) long and 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide. A 4.1-foot (1.2 meter) wall sits on top of the dam.
The dam has a special overflow area called a spillway. This concrete spillway is 150 feet (46 meters) long. It helps release extra water safely when the lake gets too full.
Water leaves the lake through an outlet system. This system has three gates that control the water flow. The water goes through a 7-foot (2.1 meter) wide tunnel. This tunnel leads to a stilling basin, which slows the water down. There are also two smaller pipes that help keep the lake at its lowest level.
The highest water flow ever recorded at the dam was 2,300 cubic feet per second (65 cubic meters per second) on April 20, 1940.
Lake Water Levels
The normal water level for Leesville Lake is 963 feet (294 meters). At this level, the lake covers about 1,000 acres (4.0 square kilometers).
When there is a lot of rain or melting snow, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can hold back more water. The lake can go up to a maximum level of 977.5 feet (297.9 meters). At this highest level, the lake covers about 1,470 acres (5.9 square kilometers). The highest the lake has ever been was 971.46 feet (296.09 meters) on June 25, 2019. Very high water levels can sometimes cause roads near the lake to close.
Every November, the lake's water level is lowered to 958 feet (292 meters). This is called the "winter pool." It creates more space for floodwater. It also helps to freeze and kill the roots of water weeds. In the spring, the water level is brought back up to the normal "summer pool."
Fun Things to Do at Leesville Lake
Leesville Lake is a great place for outdoor activities!
Camping Adventures
Leesville North Fork Marina & Campground is a popular spot. It used to be called Petersburg Marina & Campground. You can find it on the north fork of Leesville Lake. This campground offers many options:
- Boat rentals
- Dock rentals for your boat
- RV (recreational vehicle) sites
- Primitive camping sites (for tents)
- Cozy cottage rentals
You can find more information at www.LeesvilleLake.com.
Summer Camps for Kids
Several summer camps are located around Leesville Lake, offering fun and learning experiences:
- The Salvation Army runs Camp Neosa.
- The United Methodist Church runs Camp Aldersgate.
- Camp Wakonda is run by the Christ Presbyterian Church.
- The Ohio FFA runs Camp Muskingum.
- Camp Firebird and Roosevelt is also located here.
- Falcon Camp is across from Firebird & Roosevelt.
Fishing and Boating Fun
Leesville Lake is famous for its fishing. It is known as the best lake in Ohio for catching muskellunge, often called "muskies." Many record-breaking muskies have been caught here over the years.
Both Leesville North Fork Marina & Campground and Leesville South Fork Marina offer:
- Boat rentals
- Cabin rentals
- Dock rentals
- Bait and tackle for fishing
You can find more details at www.LeesvilleLake.com.
