Caesar Creek Lake: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers vs. Ohio Department of Natural Resources

11 April 2015

Lake #21: Caesar Creek Lake, Caesar Creek State Park, Warren, Clinton, and Greene Counties

Spring was still fighting its arrival when I made my way to Caesar Creek Lake; it was a sunny, 47 degrees at noon. Caesar Creek State Park is located 5 miles east of Waynesville in southwestern Ohio. The park is leased by the State from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This park shows a sharp contrast between the parts operated by the Corps and those operated by the State. The Corps property is open and well maintained; whereas, the State property has closed bathrooms, no trash cans, and is in decay. Unfortunately, the poor condition of the property leased by the State is not an anomaly; it is what I have been seeing all year. Obviously, our tax dollars are not at work at the state parks.

I had never been to Caesar Creek State Park before and was predisposed not to like it. Caesar Creek is easily accessible from I-71 and I had passed signs for it numerous times on my way to Cincinnati. I had assumed that since it was so easy to get to that the park would not be very nice and that it would be over run with people. I am happy to say that I was wrong. I had a great time and will definitely be going back.

The unlimited horsepower, 2,830-acre Caesar Creek Lake has over 40 miles of shoreline with many coves, standing trees, and stump areas. The lake is shaped like a boa constrictor with its dinner bulging out its tummy. There is a 1,300-foot public swimming beach with changing booths, not something I took advantage of the day I was there. The park covers 3,741 acres and offers 43 miles of hiking trails, from mild to extremely rugged. A 16-mile section of the Ohio Buckeye Trail passes through the park. The park also has several bridle and mountain bike trails. The park has camping with 283 electric sites, showers, and flush toilets. All the campsites are pet friendly. There is also an equestrian camp with 30 sites. There is a boat ramp located in the campground that is free to use while camping; you can use it when not camping by paying a $5.00 visitors fee.  

Normally, the average lake depth is 20 feet at the north end of the lake to over 100 feet on the south end near the dam. Caesar Creek Lake is currently drawn down 16 feet so that construction on the new marina can be completed. The marina is expected to open next summer. The water level will begin to come back up on April 25^th. The lake has 5 boat ramps. Due to the lake’s lower water level, the park was recommending boaters put in at the Wellman Meadows Boat Ramp near the dam, so that is where I headed.

View of Wellman Meadows Area From the Overlook Behind the Visitor's Center 

There were several boats launching near the dam. This wasn’t a surprise since this was the only ramp location being recommended for use. What did surprise me were the flush toilets that were actually open. I felt like dancing a jig in celebration, after taking full advantage of the facilities. Shortly after putting in, I had a 3 foot Muskie about scare me to death when it latched onto my paddle blade.

Wellman Meadows Boat Ramp 

Looking Back Towards Put-In

Evidence of 16 Foot Draw Down 

On January 1, 1937 there was a record flood in the Ohio River Basin. The Ohio River rose 80 feet above the low water level in Cincinnati. Many cities lost water, electricity, and gas services. Over 500,000 people were driven from their homes. As a result, on April 28, 1937 Congress authorized the Caesar Creek Lake Project to build a reservoir for flood control. Economic constraints and WWII put the project on hold until 1959 when another major flood reminded everyone of the importance of the project. In 1962, Caesar Creek Lake received its initial funding and ground was finally broke on August 30, 1971 with construction of the dikes. Construction of the outlet works, dam, and spillway were commenced a year later.

Paddling West From Boat Ramp Towards Dam

Caesar Creek Lake Dam and Outlet Works

Caesar Creek Lake Outlet Was Pumping Hard  

Loons had been spotted visiting near Wellman Meadows. I didn’t see any loons while paddling in this area but I did see Bonaparte’s Gulls. The flock had both white-headed and hooded birds. In honor of this sighting, I named the baby owl duck for this lake Bonaparte.

Flock of Bonaparte's Gulls

Blogger Mama Duck With Baby Duck Bonaparte 

Caesar Creek Lake's Baby Duck Bonaparte

After running off the gulls, I headed to the southern finger of Caesar Creek Lake. There were a couple fishermen in the area trying their luck. I enjoyed paddling through the tree stumps and discovering a small rapids. I like paddling where the motorized boats can't go and trying to make it as far as possible on the waterway. 

Heading South From Dam

Emergency Spillway in the Background

More Evidence of Low Water 

Southern Finger Caesar Creek Lake

Heading Where the Power Boats Can't Travel

Getting Close to the End of the Line

End of the Line

Heading Back North Through the Tree Stumps

After paddling, I headed to check out the fossil hunting area located off of Clarksville Road. It does not cost anything to collect fossils but you do need to get a fossil collecting permit from the visitor’s center that is located off of Clarksville Road just past the dam. There were a few people out trying their luck the day I was there. This area also serves as an emergency spillway for Caesar Creek Lake. If the lake were to reach flood levels, additional waters would pass through the spillway, avoiding damage or destruction to the dam.

Fossil Collecting 

The spillway area below the dam is very scenic and has restrooms and picnic tables.  I ate my picnic lunch here before exploring the area. The spillway was busy pumping out water.

Caesar Creek Below Spillway

Caesar Creek Lake Spillway

There is a pedestrian bridge spanning Caesar Creek which was built in 1921. You cross the bridge, called the O’Neall Road bridge, to reach the Gorge Loop Trail. This trail looks like it would be a great place to get views of the creek; unfortunately, I didn't have time to walk it. There is a put in for the Little Miami River trail close to here at Middletown Road where Caesar Creek enters the river.

Fast Moving Caesar Creek

The O'Neall Road Foot Bridge

Gorge Loop Trail Along Caesar Creek 

   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center is located just northeast of the dam. It is much nicer than any of the state park visitor centers I have been to for a number of reasons. First, it is open (most of the state park ones have not been). Second, it has multiple open restrooms with running water. Third, it has numerous displays on the region to engage visitors. Fourth, it offers a number of events, like the spring birding clinic (you can pick up a Caesar Creek Lake Regional Calendar of Events at the center or go online). Fifth, you can get a silly picture of you (or your paddling buddy) as a ranger. The real park ranger said that we could put in kayaks behind the nature center using the gangway down to the lake. After checking it out, I can't imagine carrying a kayak down those steps. My guess is that the ranger has never kayaked a day in his life!

My Paddling Buddy and Husband As a Junior Ranger 

These Steps Lead Down to Lake From Behind the Visitor Center

According to information provided at the visitor center, Caesar Creek Lake got its name from a Shawnee named Caesar. Caesar was an African American slave who, when coming down the Ohio River with his owners, was allegedly captured and later adopted by the Shawnee. At that time, the lake did not exist. It was only a creek that flowed through the land the Shawnee used as a hunting ground.

The Furnas Shores boat ramp is the most southern of the ramps located on the western shore of the lake. It is operated by the state. It had restrooms but they were locked; there were also no trash cans.

Furnas Shores Boat Ramp 

No Trash Containers at the Sites Operated by the State

The new Caesar Creek Marina is being built just off Ohio Route 73 between Furnas Shores Boat Ramp and the swimming beach. I wasn't able to get a picture of the progress as they were busy working the day I was there. Just north of the swimming beach is the North Pool Boat Ramp. 

Caesar Creek Lake Marina in Progress, Scheduled to Open Summer 2016

The 1,300-foot Public Swimming Beach, Waiting For Summer

North Pool Boat Ramp

Caesar Creek Lake at North Pool

View of Lake From North Pool Launch Area

The boat ramp I plan to utilize the next time I go to Caesar Creek Lake is the Young Road Boat Launch which is also called Haines. This boat ramp is located on the far north edge of the lake where Caesar Creek feeds into it. This location was unusable the day I was there due to the 16-foot draw down. At normal water levels this would be the perfect spot to kayak.

Young Road (Haines) Boat Ramp 

16-foot Draw Down Means No Paddling Here

The fifth and final boat ramp is located in the campground. It is free to use by campers but costs $5.00 for non-campers. If you were camping this would be a great place to put in. If you are not camping then I would go ahead and put in at Young Road (Haines).

Campground Boat Ramp

Where, Oh Where Has All the Water Gone

View From Campground Boat Ramp

Caesar Creek Lake was a pleasant surprise, in large part this was due to sections operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It's amazing how much a clean open restroom can influence your view of a park. I want to return to Caesar Creek when the lake levels are normal and paddle the northern end. I would recommend fellow paddlers do the same.

May all your roads end in water,

Mama Duck Mona