Mosquito Creek Lake


Mosquito Creek Lake is a reservoir in Trumbull County, northeast Ohio, in the United States. It is approximately 6 mi northeast of Warren. It is fed by Mosquito Creek and Walnut Creek. Construction was completed in 1944.

Description

Mosquito Creek Lake is a man-made reservoir. It is the second-largest inland lake in Ohio. Depth averages 8 to 15 feet, but the southern end, towards the dam, averages. The northern end is considerably more shallow, with depths averaging only 4 to 10 feet. Completely surrounding the lake is Mosquito Lake State Park. The lake is bisected by the Ohio State Route 88 causeway. The drainage area for lake is.

History

Initial plans for Mosquito Creek Reservoir were developed in the 1930s. The reservoir was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and it was constructed as a means for flood control and the regulation of streamflow. Construction of the dam that created the lake was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in April, 1944. The reservoir provides flood protection for the upper Ohio River, Beaver river and the Mahoning River valley. Additional benefits contemplated were reduction in pollution from local steel processing, and the provision of water supply to the city of Warren. In 1971 the Board on Geographic Names Decisions officially changed the name from Mosquito Creek Reservoir to Mosquito Creek Lake.

Recreation

The lake is surrounded by Mosquito Lake State Park, operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. There are picnicking and camping, as well as designated hiking trails. Opportunities for water recreation are provided, including dock rentals, boat ramps, and various watercraft rentals. Fishing for flathead catfish is highly recommended at the location. Other species recreationally fished in the lake are bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, ring perch, and walleye.

Ecological issues

The north part of the lake is a designated refuge for waterfowl. Boating and fishing are prohibited in these areas. There has been concern that the Asian carp will reach Lake Erie via Mosquito Creek Reservoir, but the probability of this occurrence has been deemed low. Invasive Zebra mussels have proliferated in the lake. This causes the lake's water to be more transpicuous than normal, and subsequently water-plants thrive in the ecosystem. Soon after construction the lake's water was considered among the best in the area, but man-made pollution from nearby residential areas has been a concern.