Temporary drawdown of lakes scheduled
To prepare for winter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts annual temporary drawdown of the normal pool elevation of the lake levels of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.
Millions of visitors visit the lakes of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District on an annual basis to participate in outdoor recreation ranging from fishing and boating to camping and hiking. While relaxing on the water or reeling in a big catch are benefits of the lakes, the most important function is to mitigate flooding for the entire Muskingum Watershed region.
To prepare for winter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts annual temporary drawdown of the normal pool elevation of the lake levels. The drawdown allows for additional flood-storage capacity during the winter thaw and spring rains and allows MWCD personnel to access near-shore areas for shoreline stabilization projects and other reservoir-maintenance activities. Drawdown will begin in early November, and the return to normal pool elevation will initiate in February. Normal pool elevations will be obtained in time for the next summer recreation season.
The temporary 2022-23 drawdown dates and lake levels are as follows:
—Atwood: 928 feet, normal pool; 920 feet, winter level; 8 feet, total drawdown; Nov. 15, begin drawdown; 42 days, release duration; and 926 feet, suggested intermediate refill scheduled by March 15.
—Charles Mill: 997 feet, normal pool; 994 feet, winter level; 3 feet, total drawdown; Nov. 15, begin drawdown; 35 days, release duration; and 995 feet, suggested intermediate refill scheduled by March 15.
—Clendening: 898 feet, normal pool; 893 feet, winter level; 5 feet, total drawdown; Nov. 1, begin drawdown; 35 days, release duration; and 896 feet, suggested intermediate refill scheduled by March 15.
—Leesville: 963 feet, normal pool; 955 feet, winter level; 8 feet, total drawdown; Nov. 1, begin drawdown; 42 days, release duration; and 961 feet, suggested intermediate refill scheduled by March 15.
—Piedmont: 913 feet, normal pool; 908 feet, winter level; 5 feet, total drawdown; Nov. 15, begin drawdown; 35 days, release duration; and 911 feet, suggested intermediate refill scheduled by March 15.
—Pleasant Hill: 1,020 feet, normal pool; 1,014 feet, winter level; 6 feet, total drawdown; Nov. 1, begin drawdown; 42 days, release duration; and 1,018 feet, suggested intermediate refill scheduled by March 15.
—Seneca: 832.20 feet, normal pool; 827.20 feet, winter level; 5 feet, total drawdown; Nov. 15, begin drawdown; 35 days, release duration; and 830.20, suggested intermediate refill scheduled by March 15.
—Tappan: 899.30 feet, normal pool; 893.30, winter level; 6 feet, total drawdown; Nov. 1, begin drawdown; 42 days, release duration; and 897.30, suggested intermediate refill scheduled by March 15.
Shoreline projects planned for winter 2021-22 include the following:
—Tappan Lake east shore/west shore cottage area shoreline: Two cottage areas in lower Beaverdam Bay, totaling 6,800 feet of restoration, will receive a combination of riprap, coconut fiber coir logs and native grass plantings. The total estimated construction cost for the project is $1,114,000.
—Atwood Lake Arrowhead Cottage area: Rock riprap, coir log and native grass plantings will be installed to stabilize a 300-foot section of eroding shoreline at the east end of the Arrowhead Cottage area.
—Leesville Lake South Fork Marina: Approximately 500 feet of rock riprap will be installed along the dock access drive to stabilize this section of eroding shoreline.