Kayaking Across Ohio: Kokosing Lake: Baby Daddy

7 December 2014

Lake #9 Kokosing Lake aka North Branch Kokosing, Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area, Knox County

I had tried to kayak this lake back on November 23^rd but it was covered with an inch of ice. Ohio has had warmer weather since then so I decided to give it another go. Success. While some of the lake is still iced over, there is plenty of room for paddling. The 160-acre Kokosing Lake and the 959 acres of land surrounding it are part of the Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area and are managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The lake is located about 15 minutes north of Mount Vernon and 1.5 miles northwest of Fredericktown. To reach the boat launch from Fredericktown take State Route 13 north to Waterford Road (about ½ mile past the dam). The boat launch ramp, camping and picnic grounds, and latrines on the west side of the lake are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The latrines were locked while I was there. Sad face. The entrance to the campground had many cut down trees. I would guess that they were Ash trees infected with the Emerald Ash Borer. It made the area look very forlorn.

Iced Over Kokosing Lake on November 23rd

Inch Thick Ice at Kokosing Back on November 23rd

Entrance to Campground and Boat Launch

Cut Down Trees at Campground Entrance

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created the lake in 1970 by impounding the headwaters of the north branch of the Kokosing River for flood control purposes on the Upper Muskingum River Watershed. While the dam is the most common type of dam, earthen dam with a separate spillway, it is interesting because the emergency spillway is so high above the lake. In order for the lake level to rise to reach the emergency spillway the entire Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area would have to be under water. Normally, the lake is relatively shallow with a maximum depth of about ten feet and an average depth of 6.5 feet. There is a 10 horsepower motor restriction on the lake, which is a good thing since it has many tree stumps, and under water obstacles.

View of Dam from the Water

View of Lake from the Dam

Drop Inlet Riser for the Outlet Tunnel

Toe Drain Outlet

Picturesque View of the Spillway

Emergency Spillway, Look How Far Away It is from the Lake

Emergency Spillway Kokosing Lake

Paddling was a bit sluggish and the water was heavy. What was not iced over had been recently and made for slow going. I brought Mama duck along today with baby duck Brutus. In the picture where Mama duck is on her side you can see that she is actually sitting on ice not floating; apparently, she doesn't know how to ice skate. Today’s baby duck is named in honor of the Ohio State Buckeye Football Team’s incredible win last night in the Big Ten Football Championship Game. Wisconsin was favored by 4.5 points over OSU but OSU won 59 to 0; the largest point spread upset in college football history! So today is the first lake that I brought Mama duck along for a paddle and guess what, she found a baby daddy. We discovered a hunter’s duck decoy that had been left behind. I was tempted to take him home with me so all my baby ducks would have a daddy but I left him behind to paddle another day.

Sluggish Kokosing Lake

Mama Duck Out for Her First Paddle

Mama Duck Can't Ice Skate

Daddy?

Blogger (the Original Mama Duck), Mama Duck, and Baby Duck Brutus

There is a five-acre island in the southeastern part of the lake. I was unable to paddle around the east side because it was iced over. I landed on the island for a little break; unfortunately, prior visitors have left it a mess. I really don’t get some people. If you like being in nature how can you trash it? Please remember “pack it in/pack it out” or in this case any crap you bring with you for fishing take it home with you when you are done for the day. Mama duck, Brutus baby duck, and I thank you.