Ohio State Route 212
State Route 212 (SR 212) is a two-lane east–west state highway that runs within Stark, Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Harrison Counties in eastern Ohio. The western terminus of SR 212 is at U.S. Route 250 near Beach City, and its eastern te ...
and
Leesville, Ohio
Leesville is a village in southwestern Carroll County, Ohio, United States. The population was 127 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Canton–Massillon metropolitan area.
History
Leesville was platted August 1, 1812, as Leesburg in what wa ...
Conotton Creek
Conotton Creek ( ) is a tributary of the Tuscarawas River, 38.7 miles (62.3 km) long, in eastern Ohio in the United States. Via the Tuscarawas, Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an are ...
. The lake is named for the village of Leesville.
The McGuire Creek forms the south branch of the C-shaped lake, while the north branch is formed by the North Fork McGuire Creek and Bear Hole Run. The Dam was completed in October, 1936 at a cost of $941,000 by the
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan for flood reduction and water conservation in the Muskingum River watershed, the state's largest ...
.MWCD Leesville Lake Data Sheets /ref> The operation of the lake and dam, along with the property immediately surrounding the dam site, was transferred to the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
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Flood Control Act of 1939
Flood Control Act of 1939 (FCA 1939) (ch. 699, 53 Stat. 1414), enacted on August 11, 1939, by the 76th Congress, authorized construction of flood control projects across the United States. The Act authorized the transfer of ownership of local a ...
by Congress. The MWCD continues to be responsible for the management of much of the reservoir areas behind the dam, serving as a partner to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood reduction. In addition to operating a number of recreation facilities, the MWCD cooperates with the
Ohio Division of Wildlife
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is the Ohio state government agency charged with ensuring "a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all." ODNR regulates the oil and gas industry, the m ...
for fishing and hunting management.
Leesville Dam
The Leesville Dam is a rolled earth fill with impervious core, maximum height 74 ft, top length 1695 ft, top width 25 ft, base width about 450 ft. With a 4.1 ft parapet wall on top of the dam with a top elevation of 995.1. Spillway: Uncontrolled concrete lined saddle spillway near left (south) abutment, crest elevation 977.5, length of crest 150 ft, design discharge with surcharge of 12.6 ft and freeboard of 5 ft. Outlet Works: Intake structure with three sluices controlled by 3.5 ft x 7 ft gates and discharges through a 7 ft diameter horseshoe tunnel through the right abutment into a stilling basin. Two 1.5 ft diameter siphons, located in front of the gates of the two outer sluices and discharging into the center sluice, are provided for maintaining the minimum pool. Other Structures: none Maximum flow of record at the dam site: (04-20-1940) Reservoir design flood peak flow: .
The normal pool level of the lake is , at which a reservoir is formed. During times of excessive rain and snow melt, the corps of engineers can impound more water, up to a maximum possible level of with . The highest pool of record is on June 25, 2019. Levels above normal can cause road closures near the lake. In November of each year the lake is lowered to winter pool of to allow more flood capacity, and to freeze and kill the roots of aquatic weeds. Levels are returned to summer pool in the spring.
Recreation
Camping
Leesville North Fork Marina & Campground (formerly known as Petersburg Marina & Campground) is located on the north fork or Leesville Lake, a few miles off of Ohio State Route 332. The facility features boat rentals, dock rental, RV and primitive site rentals and cottage rentals. More information available at www.LeesvilleLake.com
Summer camps
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestant church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7million, comprising soldiers, officers and adherents col ...
runs Camp Neosa at the lake.
The
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide mainline Protestant denomination based in the United States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a leader in evangelical ...
runs Camp Aldersgate on the north side of the lake.
Camp Wakonda is run by the Christ Presbyterian Church on the north side of the lake between NEOSA & Firebird Roosevelt.
The Ohio FFA runs Camp Muskingum on the south side of the north fork of the lake.
Camp Roosevelt Firebird is located on the north side of the lake. In February 2023, director and owner Joe Mendes announced his decision to sell Camp Roosevelt Firebird and close for the 2023 season. The closure of Firebird is due to his plans to retire. In August 2023, the camp was purchased by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD).
Falcon Camp is located south of Camp Roosevelt Firebird on the opposite shore of the lake.
Community
The Leesville Lake POA is becoming active for the first time in many years. Its meeting place is on Autumn Rd just off of the lake.
Fishing and boating
Leesville Lake continues to be the top
muskellunge
The muskellunge ''(Esox masquinongy)'', often shortened to muskie, musky or lunge is a species of large freshwater predatory fish native to North America. It is the largest member of the pike family, Esocidae.
Origin of name
The name "muskellun ...
lake in the state of Ohio, with several record muskies caught over the years. Both Leesville North Fork Marina & Campground, and Leesville South Fork Marina offer boat rental, cabin rental, dock rental and bait & tackle. More information is available at www.LeesvilleLake.com