Adams Lake State Park Explained

Adams Lake State Park
Photo Width:280
Photo Alt:Green leafy trail
Map:Ohio#USA
Relief:1
Label:Adams Lake State Park
Location:Adams County, Ohio, United States
Coords:38.8142°N -83.5267°W
Area:Land:
Water:
Established:1950
Designation:Ohio state park
Administrator:Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Website:Adams Lake State Park

Adams Lake State Park is a public recreation area that surrounds Adams Lake on the far northern edge of the village of West Union, Adams County, Ohio, in the United States. The park's are equally divided between land and water and include a rare dry-prairie remnant, Adams Lake Prairie State Nature Preserve. The park offers fishing, boating, picnicking, and hiking.

History

Adams Lake was created to supply drinking water to the village of West Union, the county seat of Adams County. When ownership of the lake and its surrounding land was transferred to the state of Ohio in 1950, Adams Lake State Park was founded.

Ecology

The park is home to one of the last pockets of prairie habitat in Ohio. Native American and naturally caused fires, grazing by megafauna, and periodic severe droughts may have played a role in maintaining this landscape. Plants found in this disjunct area of prairie include purple coneflower, prairie dock, and little bluestem flowers.

The Adams Lake prairie is a dry, sparsely vegetated area. The only trees in the prairie opening are sporadically occurring red cedar, post oak, and others which can survive the extreme soil conditions. Rare plants in the prairie include cylindrical blazing star, scaly blazing star, rattlesnake-master and blackjack oak.

Activities and amenities

The 47acres lake offers swimming, Basketball, Disc Golf, boating (electric motors), and boat launch and provides a habitat for bluegill, channel catfish, carp, bullhead, and largemouth bass. Park amenities include picnicking areas, walking path, and trails through the nature preserve.

External links