Authorized by the Flood
Control Act of 1938, Berlin Lake is one of 16 flood control projects in
the Pittsburgh District. The project provides flood protection for the
Mahoning River Valley was well as for the Beaver and Upper Ohio Rivers.
Since its completion in 1943, Berlin has prevented flood damages
estimated to be in excess of $1 billion. The project has the capability to
store the equivalent run-off of 6.9 inches of precipitation from its 249
square mile drainage area.
The project also
provides communities downstream with a clean and dependable water supply
and has helped to alleviate pollution problems along the Mahoning River
Valley. Additionally, Deer Creek Dam, which was built on project lands
by the City of Alliance, Ohio, under agreement with the Department of
the Army, provides a reservoir for domestic water supply to nearby
communities.
Lake &
Dam Statistics
Location:
On Mahoning River in Mahoning and Portage Counties, Ohio, about 35
miles upstream from Warren, Ohio. The lake is located in
Mahoning, Portage and Stark Counties. |
|
Project area,
acres |
7,990 |
Drainage area
above dam, square miles |
249 |
Construction cost |
$6,000,000 |
|
|
Dam |
|
Type of
structure:
Partially
controlled concrete gravity type with center spillway flanked by
rolled earth filled abutments |
|
Height above
streambed, feet |
96 |
Length, feet
(concrete section) |
663.5 |
Width at base,
feet
(concrete section) |
73 |
Volume of
concrete, cubic yards |
61,878 |
Volume of earth
and rock fill, cubic yards |
349,759 |
Outlet Works:
Discharge is regulated by the control tower containing three 36”
ball valves, two 36” ring jets and four 18’ x 30’ tainter gates |
|
|
|
Lake |
|
Length at normal
pool, miles |
18.6 |
Area, acres: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
5,500 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
3,590 |
Elevation, feet
above sea level: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
1,032 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
1,024 |
Streambed at
dam |
949 |
Vicinity
Map
Recreation
Take time out to
enjoy the ever-changing pattern of life and scenery that await your
discovery at Berlin Lake. Located in northeastern Ohio within a
short drive of Akron, Youngstown and Warren, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Pittsburgh District invites you to exchange the sights and
sounds of the city for those of the Ohio countryside. In addition to
its colorful scenery, the Berlin Lake offers visitors a wide variety of
recreational experiences. Whether it’s camping, boating, picnicking or
just relaxing in peaceful surroundings you’ll find it at Berlin Lake.
The
Mill Creek
Recreation Area with its diversity of campsites, from wooded waterfront
sites to grassy spots in the sun, is an ideal family campground.
Facilities provided include flush toilets, hot showers, a large boat
launching ramp and a sanitary disposal station. A limited number of
campsites are also equipped with electric hookups. The Mill Creek
Recreation Area campground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Numerous
launching ramps are located on the lake for the convenience of
boating enthusiasts. Boats of many descriptions can be found on
Berlin Lake during the summer, ranging from small fishing boat and
sailboats to cruisers and runabouts of unlimited horsepower. There is a
10 M.P.H. speed limit on the lake at night. The usually smooth water
surface also provides excellent skiing conditions. The average depth of
the lake is between 10 and 15 feet, but some stumps and snags pose
hazards for which boaters should be alert. Marina services, boating and
fishing supplies are also available through concessionaires located at
the lake.
Berlin Lake is renowned
for its excellent walleye fishing and is one of the very few lakes in
the area in which natural reproduction of the walleye population
occurs. Anglers will also enjoy fishing for the largemouth and
smallmouth bass, muskie, crappie and bluegill which abound in the lake.
Hunting is permitted at
Berlin Lake with the exception of developed recreation areas and posted
areas. The
Ohio Department of Natural Resources manages over 6,800 acres of
project lands for public hunting and wildlife management purposes.
Small game species in particular are found in abundance and easy access
to hunting areas is available.
Current
Events
It's
a Water Safety Extravaganza!
Helicopter, Divers, Boats, Games, Prizes and More!
Kids! Come see Bobber the Water Safety Dog on Saturday, June 21,
Noon to 4:00 p.m. at Berlin Lake's Day Use Area next to Mill Creek
Campground. Call (330) 547-3781 for more information.
Lend a Hand for
Public Lands
Come lend a hand for your public lands on September 20, 2008 for our 5th
Annual National Public Lands Day at Berlin Lake. Projects include
trail building, tree planting, campsite renovation and painting.
Call (330) 547-3781 for more information.
Snakes and
Raptors and Skulls, Oh My!
Check the campground bulletin boards for scheduled interpretive programs
and activities.
Campground Reservations
Many
campsites at four Pittsburgh District lakes – Berlin Lake, Shenango
River Lake, Tionesta Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake – can be reserved
in advance through the
National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS), an interagency
one-stop center for recreation reservations. Reservations can be made
up to six months before arrival by calling the NRRS toll-free at
1-877-444-6777 or on their web site
www.Recreation.gov. Campsites at all other Pittsburgh District
lakes, as well as other campsites at Berlin, Shenango, Tionesta and
Youghiogheny, are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
FIREWOOD ALERT!
Don't
Move Firewood! Ohio's
Department of Agriculture is
trying to stop the spread of the
Emerald Ash Borer, an
insect that kills ash trees. Because this pest is extensively found
in Michigan and in parts of Indiana and Ohio, firewood from Michigan
has been banned from entry into Ohio, as well as firewood from
quarantined areas of Ohio and Indiana. Campers are warned not to risk
steep fines if caught bringing firewood from these quarantine zones
into uninfested regions of the state. Firewood is offered for sale
from local private vendors.
ATV Policy for Berlin Lake
Off-road
operation of any motorized vehicle on federal land adjacent to Berlin
Lake is prohibited by Federal regulation. Violation may result in
a written warning or citation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Information about federal regulations regarding off-road vehicle
operation may be obtained by call the Berlin Lake Office at (330)
547-3781.
Finding of No Signification
Impact (FONSI) for Deer Creek Trail
The Stark County Parks District has proposed construction of the
Mahoning River Trail which would connect the City of Alliance with the
Deer Creek Reservoir and provide a scenic multi-purpose trail along the
Mahoning River. An Environmental Assessment for the proposed trail was
prepared by Environmental Design Group, Inc. for Stark County. After
careful review and evaluation of the environmental effects of the
proposed trail, the Pittsburgh District prepared a
FONSI for the segment of the trial that
is on federal land at Berlin Lake.
Facilities &
Activities
|
Bonner
Road
Launching
Area |
Dam
Picnic
Area |
Deer
Creek
Recreation
Area |
Dutch
Harbor
Marina |
Les's
Bait
Shop |
Mill
Creek
Recreation
Area |
Willow
Creek
Recreation
Area |
Accessible
Restroom |
X* |
X* |
X* |
- |
* |
X |
- |
Boat Launch Ramps |
X |
- |
X |
X |
X |
X |
- |
Boat Rental |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
- |
Campground |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Camper Dump
Station |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Drinking Water |
- |
- |
X |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Electric Hookups |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Group Camping
Area |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Pets On Leash |
- |
X |
X |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Picnic Areas |
- |
X |
X |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Picnic Shelters |
- |
X |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Restroom
Facilities |
X* |
X* |
X* |
X |
X* |
X |
- |
Showers |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Swim Area |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Trail |
- |
- |
X |
- |
- |
X |
- |
*
Accessible portable
toilets are available at the Bonner Road Launching Area, Dam Picnic
Area,
Deer Creek Recreation Area and Lee’s Bait Shop during the
recreation season.
Links of Interest
|