Lake Lecomte Fostoria Reservoir #5 and Veterans Memorial Fostoria Reservoir #6: Two Peas in a Pod

3 May 2015

Lakes #29 and #30   Lake Lecomte Fostoria Reservoir #5 and Veterans Memorial Reservoir Fostoria Reservoir #6, Hancock County

After spending the morning kayaking Findlay Reservoirs #1 and #2, I had two more upground reservoirs to knock off my BHAG list: Fostoria Reservoirs #5 and #6. They were pretty much what I had kayaked earlier in the day, just a different location. The reservoirs are located approximately 2.5 miles southwest of Fostoria. Since you can see each of these reservoirs from the top of the other, I am going to treat these reservoirs as a set. Both reservoirs obtain their water by pumping it from the East Branch Portage River, which runs along their east sides. Although Fostoria’s reservoirs are still commonly called by their numbers, in 1946 the four reservoirs then in existence were named for the first Fostoria veteran in each service to be killed in WWII. When Reservoir #5 was built in 1958, it was named for Charles E. Lecomte, the first Fostoria airman killed in WWII. Reservoir #6 built in 1991 was named Veterans Memorial in dedication to all veterans past, present, and future.

Fostoria Reservoir #5 

Fostoria Reservoir #6 

128-acre Fostoria Reservoir #5 has a 9.9 horsepower limit and an average depth of 28 feet. The boat ramp is located on the northwest corner of the reservoir off Hancock County Road 23, 3 miles north of State Route 224. There was enough wave action going on that I chose to wear my paddle pants.

Fostoria Reservoir #5 Boat Ramp

View From Boat Ramp 

Paddle Pants Back On 

It was a beautiful day but not much to do on Reservoir #5 except ride the waves. I chose to name this lake’s baby cat duck Charles Lecomte in honor of the army air corps flight officer who lost his life over Italy.

Beautiful Day on Reservoir #5

Riding the Waves

Baby Duck Charles Lecomte

160-acre Fostoria Reservoir #6 is located north of Reservoir #5 off State Route 12.

The boat ramp is located on the northern edge of the reservoir off of Washington Township Road 218.

Drop Off Boats at Top, Park Below 

Fostoria Reservoir #6 Boat Ramp 

Stairway to Heaven? Nope, Just Up to the Boat Ramp

Woo Hoo, Riding the Waves

This reservoir has a peninsula with towering electric towers on it, which gives you something other than waves to look at while paddling. The electric towers made me think of a low budget science fiction movie I saw in college, when I was working for the Cinema Studies Department. The 1958 movie was called Attack of the 50 Foot Woman and starred Allison Hayes as Nancy Fowler Archer. Nancy becomes super sized after contact with an alien. In the end, a sheriff trying to kill Nancy fires a riot gun which causes a nearby power line transformer to blow up, which in turn kills Nancy. There is nothing around the reservoir except for the very large electric towers, which makes them stand out even more. They are kind of alien looking. I guess that is why my mind wandered back over 25 years to that really bad science fiction movie. Or maybe I should blame it on the meditative nature of the waves. Any way, in honor of Nancy and all misunderstood 50 foot women every where I chose to name this lake's duck Nancy.

Heading West Toward Peninsula

Peninsula 

Looking West Past Peninsula 

Imagine a 50 Foot Woman Next to the Tower

Mama Duck With Baby Duck Nancy

Baby Duck Nancy Does Not Look Too Happy

After completing these reservoirs I lucked onto a find for dinner, Smokin' Buckeye BBQ Company located at 811 West Findlay Street, Carey. I had the best ribs that I have ever had in my life and my husband had what he claimed was the best beef brisket. If you are in the neighborhood, I suggest you skip the two reservoirs and head straight to Smokin' Buckeye instead.

Great Ribs and Beef Brisket 

The Chocolate Shakes Are Pretty Yummy Too!

May all your roads end in water or at a great watering hole,

Mama Duck Mona

Findlay Reservoirs #1 and #2: Two Pieces of a Puzzle

3 May 2015

Lakes# 27 and 28     Findlay Reservoirs #2 and #1, Hancock County

Findlay Reservoirs #2 and #1 are upground reservoirs located 2.5 miles southeast of Findlay. Reservoir #1 sits to the southeast of Reservoir #2, like a piece of a puzzle, together they form a square. The reservoirs can be reached from Findlay by taking State Route 37 to Hancock County Road 205 then going east one mile to County Road 234, north to Township Road 207, then east to the boat ramp. The boat ramp for Reservoir #1 can be reached by continuing on County Road 205 one mile east of County Road 234. Reservoir #1 was built in 1950 by Findlay as a municipal water supply, with Reservoir #2 following in 1968. Water for the reservoirs is pumped in from adjacent Blanchard River and area wells. Both reservoirs have earthen dikes that are 12 feet wide at the top with the insides of the dikes covered with limestone to protect them from erosion. There is a walking trail around both reservoirs and no trees or other scenery.

Reservoir #2 

I chose to kayak Reservoir #2 first because it is the larger of the two reservoirs and because I thought I might be able to portage from it to the smaller Reservoir #1.  Reservoir #2 is 645-acres with storage capacity of 5 billion gallons, which makes it the largest upground reservoir in Ohio. The reservoir has depths of 16 to 33 feet, with an average of 24 feet. Motors with a 9.9 horsepower max are allowed. There is an extremely large parking lot (I think it is big enough for everyone in Findlay to be there at the same time) with a port-a-john available. There is turn around and boat drop off at the top of the reservoir with limited parking.

Flat, No Trees, No Views

The Only Trees

Stairway Between Parking Lot and Top of Reservoir 

Reservoir #2 Parking Lot, Who Did They Think Was Going to Show Up? 

Once I put in at the boat ramp, I paddled southeast toward Reservoir #1. My plan was to portage over a section of the one mile dike that is shared by the two reservoirs; unfortunately, I couldn’t find a spot that I felt was safe. There wasn’t anything to see out on the water, no aquatic vegetation to entice visitors. The only wildlife I saw were two turkey vultures that checked me out. I named the reservoir’s baby camo cat duck Turk in honor of the turkey vultures.

Heading Southeast Toward Reservoir #1 

Riding the Waves Heading Southeast 

Heading to Common Shared Dike 

Searching the Dike For a Place to Portage

Turkey Vultures, "I'm Not Dead Yet" 

Reservoir #2 Baby Duck Turk 

After seeing the turkey vultures, I headed back to the boat ramp so I could move onto Reservoir #1. There is no parking at the top of Reservoir #1. You have to drop off your boat and drive down to the parking lot below. There are no restrooms at this reservoir. Reservoir #1 is 186 acres in size with a relatively flat bottom. It has water depths of 20 to 28 feet, with the average being the same as Reservoir #2, 24 feet. There was a noticeable difference in the color of water in Reservoir #1 from that in Reservoir #2. I am curious as to why. Only electric motors are permitted on the smaller reservoir.

Riding the Waves Back to Reservoir #2 Boat Ramp 

Parking Lot at Reservoir #1

Reservoir #1 Boat Ramp 

Beautiful Blue Water of Reservoir #1

I paddled north from the boat ramp toward Reservoir #2. I was looking for a possible portage spot from the small to larger reservoir, but once again I had no luck. Again, there wasn’t anything to look at out on the water and no wildlife to see.

Nothing But Water 

I decided to name this reservoir’s camo baby duck Blanchard in honor of the river that the reservoir gets its water from. I made it a short paddle and headed back in.

If I were not doing my BHAG of kayaking all the lakes in Ohio that are larger than 100 acres then I would not kayak these two reservoirs. They are flat open spaces with nothing to see. They would be good for working on speed and endurance because you would not have any obstacles to paddle around. If you live next door to the reservoirs it might be worth it to make a visit, otherwise my advice is to skip them.

May all your roads end in water,

Mama Duck Mona

Harrison Lake: Small But Mighty

2 May 2015

Lake#26         Harrison Lake, Harrison Lake State Park, Fulton County

Harrison Lake may or may not be larger than my 100-acre BHAG requirement but it certainly paddles larger. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources lists Harrison Lake as being 105-acres but the map posted at the boat launch site says it is only 99-acres. The lake seems much larger than 100 acres. Earlier in the day, I had paddled Nettle Lake that is listed at 115-acres. Harrison seems twice Nettle Lake’s size. Regardless of Harrison Lake’s actual size, I am glad I paddled it.

Harrison Lake 

Harrison Lake is located one hour from Toledo in Fayette. It is surrounded by 142-acre Harrison Lake State Park. The park has a campground with 173 camp sites, a people swimming beach and a separate dog swimming beach, a picturesque foot bridge, and a hiking trail which circles the lake. The park also offers boat and bike rentals. Harrison Lake has one boat ramp located on its south shore accessed off of County Road 27. There is no limit on horsepower size of motors but boats must operate at no wake speed at all times.

Harrison Lake Boat Ramp

Harrison Lake Courtesy Docks

Looking West From Boat Ramp 

Looking North From Boat Ramp

Looking East From Boat Ramp

Harrison Lake State Park is located in the midst of endless fields of corn. This area is part of the historic Great Black Swamp region that was cleared by pioneers in the early 1800s. Evidence of the lake’s wetland history can still be seen in the part of the lake west of the County Road 27 bridge. The swamp was the last area to be settled in Ohio and this far northwestern corner of Ohio remains sparsely populated. In 1941, a dam over Mill Creek was completed and Harrison Lake was created. The lake averages anywhere from 4 to 16 feet deep, with the western section being the most shallow.

Harrison Lake Dam 

Country Road 27 crosses the western side of Harrison Lake so you know where I headed when I put in, left toward the bridge.

Heading West From Ramp 

Heading West Toward CR 27 Bridge 

County Road 27 Bridge

Heading Under Bridge to Western Section of Harrison Lake

The area west of CR 27 bridge was full of wild life. I saw lots of turtles, great blue heron, Canadian geese, a double-crested cormorant, and a black bird (that I couldn't identify) eating a fish in a tree. If you paddle Harrison Lake make sure you make it to the western section.

This Turtle Looks Scary to Me

I had a staring contest with a Canadian Goose and I won.

Canadian Goose Stare Down

Double-Crested Cormorant

After exploring this area I decided to paddle east to check out the lake's other bridge, a cute foot bridge.

Heading East 

Pines Along the South Shore

Heading to Foot Bridge

Paddling to Foot Bridge 

Yeah, Another Bridge to Go Under 

East of Foot Bridge Heading to Spillway

Harrison Lake does not have its spillway marked in any way. It is located east of the foot bridge.

Foot Bridge From the Spillway

Harrison Lake Spillway

It Would Be a Bumpy Ride Over the Spillway

There were several people camping and children fishing from the shore. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water. I really enjoyed not wearing a skirt or paddling jacket. I decided to name Harrison Lake's baby cow duck "Joy" because it truly was a joy to be out on the water.

Mama Duck With Baby Duck Joy

After paddling under the pedestrian bridge, I headed to check out the dam and passed one of the campground areas. 

Campground in the Trees

Harrison Dam in the Distance 

Heading West From the Dam Back to Put In 

Back Where I Started, End of a Great Day

May all your roads end in water,

Mama Duck Mona