By 1812Blockhouse
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) announced its winter drawdown schedule for 2024-2025, a crucial operation for flood control and maintenance of the area’s lakes. While MWCD’s reservoirs are popular destinations for fishing, boating, camping, and hiking, their core purpose is to protect the Muskingum Watershed from flooding.
Why Drawdown Matters: Ensuring Safety and Maintenance
Each winter, in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the MWCD lowered lake levels to increase flood storage capacity in preparation for winter snowmelt and spring rains. By doing so, the region is better equipped to handle excessive water levels, preventing potential flooding hazards. The drawdown also gives MWCD staff the opportunity to complete necessary maintenance, including shoreline stabilization projects that keep the lakes healthy and safe for public enjoyment.
Drawdown Timelines and Details
The winter drawdown commenced in early November, with lake levels expected to return to normal by February. The controlled decrease in water levels is designed to ensure that all reservoirs are fully prepared for the next summer recreation season. Specific lake details are as follows:
- Atwood Reservoir: Normal pool at 928 feet, will drop to 920 feet (a total drawdown of 8 feet). Drawdown began on November 15 and continued for 42 days. Target refill level by March 15, 2025, is 926 feet.
- Charles Mill Reservoir: Normal pool at 997 feet, will lower to 992 feet (a total drawdown of 5 feet). Drawdown started November 15, lasting 35 days. Target refill level by March 15 is 995 feet.
- Clendening Reservoir: Normal pool at 898 feet, will drop to 893 feet (a total drawdown of 5 feet). Drawdown began on November 15 for 35 days. Suggested refill level is 896 feet by mid-March.
- Leesville Reservoir: Normal pool at 963 feet, dropping to 958 feet (a total drawdown of 5 feet). Drawdown began on November 8 and lasted 35 days. Intermediate refill target is 961 feet.
- Piedmont Reservoir: Normal pool at 913 feet, will lower to 908 feet (a total drawdown of 5 feet). Drawdown began on November 1 for 35 days. Target refill by mid-March is 911 feet.
- Pleasant Hill Reservoir: Normal pool at 1,020 feet, dropping to 1,012 feet (a total drawdown of 8 feet). Drawdown started November 1 for 42 days. Intermediate refill target by March is 1,018 feet.
- Seneca Reservoir: Normal pool at 832.2 feet, lowering to 824.2 feet (a total drawdown of 8 feet). Drawdown began on November 1, lasting 42 days. Target refill level by March 15 is 830.2 feet.
- Tappan Reservoir: Normal pool at 899.3 feet, will lower to 894.3 feet (a total drawdown of 6 feet). Drawdown began on November 15 for 35 days, with a target refill of 897.3 feet by mid-March.
Planned Construction and Extended Drawdown
Certain reservoirs had additional drawdown requirements due to planned construction and maintenance work. Extended drawdowns were scheduled at Atwood, Charles Mill, Seneca, Pleasant Hill, and Tappan Lakes. These reservoirs remained at their extended drawdown levels until February 15, 2025, after which they returned to the normal winter elevations. The extended drawdowns will allow both MWCD and USACE crews to conduct critical infrastructure upgrades to ensure the long-term safety and functionality of these facilities.
Preparing for a Safe and Enjoyable Recreation Season
MWCD’s winter drawdown was part of a long-term strategy to safeguard against flooding while maintaining the region’s reservoirs. This annual operation underscores the importance of proactive water level management to ensure that these lakes are not only safe for the surrounding communities but also ready for the enjoyment of millions of visitors next summer.
Visitors planning to use MWCD lakes over the winter were advised to stay updated on water levels and avoid areas where maintenance activities were taking place. The drawdown process was essential to prepare these beloved recreation spots for another busy and safe season, ensuring they remained reliable hubs for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the region.
