Senecaville Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seneca Lake |
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Recreation is one of the lake's many uses.
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 Seneca Lake
Location in Ohio
Seneca Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Noble / Guernsey counties, Ohio, USA |
| Coordinates | 39°55′30″N 081°26′07″W / 39.92500°N 81.43528°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary outflows | Seneca Fork of Wills Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 5.5 sq mi (14 km2) |
| Water volume | 88,500 acre⋅ft (0.1092 km3) maximum storage |
| Shore length1 | 45 mi (72 km) |
| Surface elevation | 892 ft (272 m) |
| Islands | Horse Island |
| Settlements | Senecaville, Kennonsburg |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Senecaville Lake is a large, man-made lake in Ohio, located in Guernsey and Noble Counties. It's about 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Cambridge, close to the village of Senecaville, Ohio. Many people call it Seneca Lake. This lake is a favorite spot for fun activities like boating and fishing.
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History of Senecaville Lake
The Senecaville Dam was built in 1937. It was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This project was part of a bigger plan by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. The main goals were to control floods and save water.
The dam was built across the Seneca Fork of Wills Creek. This created a large reservoir. Today, the lake helps prevent floods. It also provides water for recreation and supports fish and wildlife. It makes sure rivers downstream have enough water during dry times.
Senecaville Dam Structure
The Senecaville Dam is at the northwest end of the lake. It is near the village of Senecaville. The dam was first finished in 1937. It was updated in 1982.
The dam is made of earth. It stands 49 feet (15 m) high and stretches 2,350 feet (720 m) long. It has two main sections, North and South. These sections are separated by a rocky hill. The dam can hold up to 88,500 acre-feet (109,200,000 m3) of water. It helps control water from an area of 118 square miles (310 km2).
Fun Activities at Seneca Lake
Seneca Lake is part of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District's group of lakes. This means they manage all the fun activities here. These activities include boating, swimming, camping, and picnicking.
The MWCD has an activity center at Seneca Lake Park. You can get daily information about campground events there. There are two swimming areas. One is in the park, and the other can be reached by boat. Picnic spots are also available in Seneca Lake Park.
Boating and Marinas
There is a public boat launch ramp near the dam. It is open all year. Boats on Seneca Lake can have up to 399 horsepower (298 kW).
Seneca Marina is the only marina on the lake. It is run by a private company. The marina offers boat sales and rentals. You can also get fuel and supplies there. It has places to dock boats. There is even a restaurant at the marina that is open all year.
Hiking and Camping
You can find some hiking trails around the Senecaville Dam. Seneca Lake Park has a larger system of hiking trails. Camping is also available at Seneca Lake. You can book your camping through the MWCD.
Fireworks on the Lake
A special event called "Fireworks on the Lake" happens every year. It takes place on the Saturday closest to the Fourth of July. The fireworks are launched from the Big Island in the lake.
Fishing at Seneca Lake
Fishing is a very popular activity at Seneca Lake. The Ohio Division of Wildlife manages fishing and hunting rights here. You can fish all around the lake where there is water access. Fishing is also allowed both above and below the dam.
Types of Fish
Seneca Lake is home to many kinds of fish. These include largemouth bass, crappies, bluegills, and channel catfish. You can also find walleye and bullheads.
The Division of Wildlife has also added other fish to the lake. These include muskellunge and white bass. This has been quite successful.
Senecaville Fish Hatchery
There is a fish hatchery located below the Senecaville Dam. It is run by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This facility helps to raise fish for the lake. It was taken over from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1987.
The hatchery has 37 ponds. These ponds hold a total of 37 acres (150,000 m2) of water. There are also two outdoor raceways and 18 indoor rearing troughs. Water for the hatchery comes from Seneca Lake. It can supply 2,000 US gallons per minute (130 L/s).
Fish Raised at the Hatchery
The hatchery raises several types of fish. These include saugeye, walleye, hybrid striped bass, and channel catfish. These fish are then released into lakes like Seneca Lake.
The hatchery welcomes visitors. You can arrange a tour for groups if you book ahead of time.
See also
In Spanish: Senecaville Lake para niños
