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 wholly contained watershed, covering more than 8,000 square miles (21,000 km2). Since the original construction of fourteen reservoirs and dams in the 1930s (two more were built later), more than $7 billion worth of property damage has been saved from flooding.

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
Agency overview
Formed1933 (1933)[1]
Jurisdiction18 counties in Ohio encompassing the Muskingum River watershed[1]
Headquarters1319 Third Street NW, New Philadelphia, Ohio
Agency executive
  • John M. Hoopingarner[2], Executive director/secretary
Websitewww.mwcd.org

Projects

After its formation, the MWCD began planning an extensive system of flood-reduction reservoirs and dams in the Muskingum River watershed, which covers all or portion of 27 counties (about 20 percent of the state). By 1938, a network of fourteen reservoirs and dams was constructed. The ten permanent reservoirs are widely recognized for their outdoor recreational opportunities, attracting more than five  million visitors annually.

Two additional dams and lakes were added at a later date: Dillon Lake (1960)[3] and North Branch Kokosing.[4]

The operation of the lakes and dams, along with the property immediately surrounding the dam sites, was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, after the approval of the Flood Control Act of 1939 by Congress. The MWCD continues to be responsible for the management of much of the reservoir areas behind the dams, serving as a partner to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood reduction. The reservoirs also serve as sources of public water supply and the MWCD manages about 54,000 acres (220 km2) of water and property, most of which is open for public access. In addition to operating a number of recreation facilities, the MWCD cooperates with the Ohio Division of Wildlife for fishing and hunting management.

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References
  1. "Frequently Asked Questions". Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. Archived from the original on 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  2. "Governance - Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District". www.mwcd.org. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  3. "Muskingum River Basin flood control system: environmental impact statement". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1977. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  4. "Lakes - Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District". www.mwcd.org. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
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