The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) has announced its winter drawdown schedule, an essential annual operation that supports flood control and reservoir maintenance throughout the region. While MWCD lakes attract millions of visitors each year for activities like fishing, boating, camping, and hiking, their primary role is to help protect the Muskingum Watershed from flooding.
Each winter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) lowers the lake levels temporarily to provide increased flood storage for winter snowmelt and spring rains. This controlled drawdown also allows MWCD staff to complete shoreline stabilization projects and other critical maintenance tasks. The drawdown will begin in early November, with water levels expected to return to normal by February, ensuring the lakes are fully prepared for the next summer season.
The temporary 2024 – 2025 drawdown dates and lake levels are as follows:
| Reservoir |
Normal Pool |
Winter Level |
Total Drawdown (feet) |
Begin 2024 Drawdown |
Release Duration (days) |
Suggested intermediate refill schedule by 3/15/25 |
| Atwood |
928.00 |
920.00 |
8.0 |
November 15 |
42 |
926.00 |
| Charles Mill |
997.00 |
992.00 |
5.0 |
November 15 |
35 |
995.00 |
| Clendening |
898.00 |
893.00 |
5.0 |
November 15 |
35 |
896.00 |
| Leesville |
963.00 |
958.00 |
5.0 |
November 8 |
35 |
961.00 |
| Piedmont |
913.00 |
908.00 |
5.0 |
November 1 |
35 |
911.00 |
| Pleasant Hill |
1020.00 |
1012.00 |
8.0 |
November 1 |
42 |
1018.00 |
| Seneca |
832.20 |
824.20 |
8.0 |
November 1 |
42 |
830.20 |
| Tappan |
899.30 |
894.30 |
6.0 |
November 15 |
35 |
897.30 |
| NOTE: Due to planned construction at Atwood, Charles Mill, and Seneca Lakes, and for USACE maintenance work at Pleasant Hill and Tappan, we request that additional drawdown occur to the elevations noted. All reservoirs with extended drawdown shall be held at the requested elevation until February 15, 2025, and then returned to the normal winter schedule elevations. |
Shoreline projects planned for the Winter of 2024 – 2025 include:
- Seneca Lake – A combination of rock riprap and soil lifts with native plantings will be utilized to stabilize a 270-foot long section of steeply eroded shoreline along SR147 near Grant Moore Road, and rock riprap / coir logs will be installed to stabilize approximately 670 feet of eroding shoreline within Seneca Lake Park.
- Atwood Lake – A combination of rock riprap and soil nails will be utilized to stabilize the shoreline and a significant landslide that has occurred in the Area 4 Campground at Atwood Lake Park. The landslide is approximately 250 feet in length, and the shoreline stabilization work will extend a total of 770 feet.
