|
|
Nature of the Area!
At one time, the ground now known as Buckeye Lake was
swampland resulting from glaciation. Thousands of years ago the glaciers
moved south across Ohio altering drainage systems and landscape. Natural
lakes, known as kettles, were created when huge chunks of ice broke off
the glacier and melted in depressions. Other lakes were formed when the
glacier blocked existing water outlets. As time progressed, clay and
silt settled out of the still water into the bottom of the lakes.
Today as we study the landscape, we can learn of the old lake locations
by the nature of the underlying clay and silt. The large area of fine
clay sediment in the Buckeye Lake region indicates that the glacial lake
was broader than the present man-made lake.
When the white man began settling in Ohio, only a few of the ancient
lakes remained. They were shallow and swampy, and more correctly
classified as bogs or marshes. Explorer Christopher Gist, while
traveling the Scioto-Beaver Trail just south of Buckeye Lake, camped by
the watery bog's edge. In 1751, he named the area Buffalo Lick or Great
Swamp in his journal. The Great Swamp included two long narrow ponds
that were joined during high water. A considerable part of the wetland
was a cranberry-sphagnum bog. Cranberry Bog, a state nature preserve and
a National Natural Landmark, is situated in Buckeye Lake. When the lake
was impounded in 1826, Cranberry Bog broke loose from the bottom and
became a floating island which may conceivably be the only one of its
kind in the world. Most of the island is an open sphagnum moss meadow
with an abundance of cranberries and pitcher plants making the area a
naturalist's delight. Access to the island is by permit only from the
ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.
Buckeye Lake's shoreline offers excellent habitat for waterfowl. Good
bird-watching opportunities exist especially during the spring and fall
migrations. One of the state's largest great blue heron rookeries is
situated on adjacent private land, but the birds can often be seen in
the park.
History of the Area!
In
order to provide interconnecting waterways for a growing state, a canal
system was developed in the early 1800's. The system required feeder
lakes to supply the water necessary to maintain the four-foot canal
water level. Because of their location, areas such as St. Marys, Indian
Lake, Lake Loramie, Guilford and Buckeye lakes were to be developed as
part of the project.
The canal project was formally started by Governor Jeremiah Morrow on
July 4, 1825 in a special ceremony near Newark. In attendance was New
York's DeWitt Clinton, the father of the Erie Canal. Ohio's canal system
was becoming a reality.
Construction of the dike blocking drainage into the South Fork of the
Licking River began in 1826 and was completed in 1830, forming the
Licking Summit Reservoir which would eventually become Buckeye Lake.
Before impoundment, the forests were not cleared leaving large tracts of
timber and brush emergent in the newly formed lake.
As the water level rose, several large mats of sphagnum moss broke loose
from the bottom and became "floating islands". Other islands were
created because the land was above the water level.
During the canal era, canal boats traveled along the original western
end of the lake. This lake however, was not large enough to supply the
necessary water for the canal so it was enlarged. Later, in order to
provide an even larger amount of water, another lake was developed north
and west of the original one. A dike, known as "Middle Wall", separated
the Old Reservoir and New Reservoir. This dike was used as a towpath for
the canal.
With the advent of railroads, the canal system became outdated. Many
miles of canal fell into disuse and were abandoned or sold. In 1894, the
General Assembly of Ohio set a policy whereby the feeder reservoirs were
established as public parks. At that time, the name of Licking Summit
Reservoir was changed to Buckeye Lake.
By 1900, there were numerous cottages and several amusement parks around
Buckeye Lake. In the early 1900's, as recreational use increased and
power boats became popular, the "North Bank" was reinforced and the
"Middle Wall" removed. Development continued around the lake. During the
1940's and 50's, many folks traveled to the Buckeye Lake Amusement Park
to see big-band stars, dance and picnic.
In 1949, when the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was created, the
area officially became Buckeye Lake State Park.
|
