Clark Lake: Great Blue Herons Up Close

6 April 2015

Lake #20         Clark Lake, Clark Lake Wildlife Area, Clark County

Tiny 102-acre Clark Lake is often overlooked due to its nearby, much bigger neighbor, 2120-acre C. J. Brown Reservoir located in Buck Creek State Park. When my daughter and I were heading to Clark Lake from Eastwood Lake in Dayton, we accidentally ended up at C.J. Brown Reservoir. Apparently, even the GPS was out to over look poor Clark Lake. The gray clouds that had been hovering over us at Eastwood Lake had followed us to Clark Lake, but we were determined to paddle just the same.

Clark Lake sits in the quiet countryside, approximately 8 miles east of Springfield, northeast of Harmony, off U.S. Route 40. Clark Lake is an older lake; the lake was completely filled in 1958. Clark Lake is a headwater impoundment of Sinking Creek, which feeds it from its northeast tip. The earthen fill dam is centrally located on the western shore of the lake. 

Clark Lake Dam From a Distance

Clark Lake Dam

The shallow lake, average depth 2 to 5 feet, has a maximum depth of 6 feet near the dam. The lake’s sand and gravel bottom prevented it from being deepened. The fingers on the eastern side of the lake are shallow and heavily vegetated in areas.

There is a 10 horsepower motor restriction on the lake. The boat ramp, parking for trailers, and port a john are located on the southern tip of the lake off of Vernon-Ashbury Road and Old Columbus Road. U.S. 40 and I-70 are only 2 miles away via Bowman Road.

Clark Lake Boat Ramp

There is also carry-in boat launching from the parking areas located on the eastern side of the lake, simply continue on the access road past the boat ramp parking area.

It is pretty easy to find a paddling partner on pretty sunny days, not so easy on the cold dreary ones. Based upon previous outings, I thought my daughter Anna might have been bitten by the paddling bug. Today's paddle would show me that I had passed on my love of paddling to her. It is something special to see your child loving something that you feel passionate about.

My Daughter Leads the Way North Towards the Dam

Duck Blind on the West Side of Lake on the Way to Dam

Anna and I were able to get the closest I have been to Great Blue Herons while on the water. It started lightly raining shortly after we put in; perhaps the rain masked our smell and made us seem less threatening to the birds.

Anna Spotting a Great Blue Heron

Anna Getting Closer to the Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron Finally Got Tired of Our Company

After spending time with the Great Blue Heron, we headed east to the opposite side of the lake to explore its arms and fingers. I always prefer a lake's fingers to its wide open areas. 

Heading Into Northeast Finger

My Daughter Loves Exploring Fingers Just Like Me

Anna and I discovered more Great Blue Herons here. It was so peaceful to watch the herons and listen to the songbirds. 

It started to rain heavily and I thought my daughter would want to call it a day, but she wanted to keep on paddling. She said, "We won't melt." The baby duck for today was a purple fairy duck. We decided to name the duck Glinda, for the good witch of Oz, since she wouldn't melt either.

Baby Duck Glinda Enjoying the Rain

Baby Duck Glinda of Oz

After letting Glinda take a swim, we headed to the most northern finger of the lake. This area was narrow with heavy vegetation. I saw a Red-Winged Blackbird which made me happy. Seeing the bird gave me hope that spring was really on its way. It was fun to watch him singing and made me thankful that my daughter and I had decided to stay out longer on the lake.

Red-Winged Blackbird in the Marshes

 A couple times I told my daughter that we were at the end of the line and she would hunt until she could find a way to go a little farther. She was eager to explore and find the hidden places, just like me. When my husband is my paddling companion, he is usually telling me that we can't go any farther and I am the one pushing a little bit more.

Although today was cold, wet, and dreary, it was a lovely paddle. Sharing the experience with my daughter made it even better. To quote Albert Schweitzer, "Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it."

May all your roads end in water,

Mama Duck Mona