OHIO OUTDOOR NOTEBOOK
By Laura Jones, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
June 12, 2001
Ohios Canal Lakes Left a Lasting Legacy in Our Parks System
All of us who love to explore the outdoors in Ohio can give thanks to a long-forgotten era in our states history and to the modern-day legacy it has left for us to enjoy. It began in the early 1800s, when the young state of Ohio had quickly grown to a population of almost 600,000. It was a bustling agricultural society with a major problem: it lacked a safe, economic means of transporting products to eastern markets.
To meet that need, ground was broken on the Ohio & Erie Canal, July 4, 1825 at Licking Summit in Licking County. Seventeen days later work began on the Miami & Erie Canal in Butler County. Ohios canal construction started the same year New York state completed its own Erie Canal, providing the vital link between Ohio and east coast consumers.
Altogether, nearly 1,000 miles of canals passed through 44 of the states 88 counties providing convenient water routes between the Ohio River and Lake Erie. This new transportation system played a pivotal role in the lives of Ohioans, bringing prosperity and a much-needed cash economy.
Six reservoirs known as canal or feeder lakes were created to supply water at the canals summits. Licking Summit Reservoir (later renamed Buckeye Lake) was the first to be completed in 1826. It was followed by: Grand Lake St. Marys, Lake Loramie, Guilford Lake, Portage Lakes and Indian Lake.
Prospering until 1855, the canal systems heyday was cut short with the arrival of the railroad. In 1894, the Ohio legislature dedicated the Licking Summit Reservoir was a public lake park. By 1902 the remaining lakes received the same designation. Finally, in 1949, the canal lakes became the first areas dedicated as state parks.
Today, these historic canal lakes total more than 27,000 acres of water. They are popular places of recreation and relaxation while providing excellent environments for shore birds, waterfowl, other wildlife and rare plant species.
The 3,400 acre Buckeye Lake in Fairfield and Licking counties, is a favorite destination for boaters and anglers. The lake is also home to Cranberry Bog, a floating island of sphagnum peat moss, created when the man-made reservoir was flooded. Today, this ancient Ice Age relic is one of Ohios smallest state nature preserves and a National Natural Landmark recognized as the only one of its kind in the world.
Grand Lake St. Marys in Mercer and Auglaize counties is Ohios largest inland lake at 13,500 acres. Once a vast wetland, the park today contains a variety of habitats including wetlands, woodlands and prairies. A major stop for migrating birds, the lake draws numerous waterfowl such as Canada geese, osprey, swans, egrets and loons. The park offers its human visitors a variety of recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating and camping.
The 1,655 acre Lake Loramie in Shelby County, was the first feeder lake for the Miami Canal. Today, park visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking and camping. Nearby Gross Woods State Nature Preserve represents one of the least disturbed woods in west-central Ohio and offers great birding opportunities.
Guilford Lake located among the gently rolling hills of Columbiana County, was created as a feeder for the privately owned Sandy & Beaver Canal. Geological evidence suggests the lakes surrounding region was extremely swampy and may have been a remnant of a natural glacial lake. This 396-acre lake offers good fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish as well as other outdoor recreation
Several of the Portage Lakes were developed as feeder reservoirs. A vestige of the glacial period, the former swampland lies on a major watershed divide, with some of its waters draining into Lake Erie and some flowing to the Ohio River. Portage Lakes State Park in Summit County offers visitors 2,520 acres of water to swim, boat and fish.
Indian Lake in Logan County was originally a cluster of natural lakes frequented by Native Americans because of its close proximity to the Miami River. Upon completion in 1860, Indian Lake became the last feeder lake to be built. Its 5,800 acres of water offers todays visitors a diversity of water-related recreational activities.