Boating traffic on Knox Lake picked up once the rehabilitation project for the dam was completed and the lake level rose.
State Wildlife Officer Austin Levering told the Mount Vernon News that he’s been to the lake regularly over the past three weeks and has seen a lot more boating traffic. Kayaks, paddleboards and bass boats are seen out on the lake, which has a limited horsepower rating with no-wake, idle speed required.
Things are coming back to life out on the 469-acre lake, he said, including cars in the parking lot and many people out fishing along the bank at night.
“The dam was 60 years old. So it definitely posed a risk to public safety,” he said.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) made repairing high-risk dams throughout the state a priority, with several being completed.
“Obviously, we need to avoid catastrophe. We had to renovate – completely renovate – Knox Lake dam,” Levering said.
A lot of the old concrete remains. The dam was resurfaced after contractors drilled holes in the spillway wall and floor down into the bedrock. Hundreds of stabilizing rods were inserted, and concrete was poured into the holes.
While dam and spillway work was being done the lake level was lower by approximately 10-12 feet, Levering said.
“It was so low that the entire North Side basically had no water where the stump field is located,” he said, but the water has since been rising to normal levels.
Some good things came out of the lower lake level as large-scale cleanup efforts were made by local residents along the lake banks. They were able to pick up tires and other debris and trash.
Local fishermen liked the lower lake level because it seemed to concentrate the catfish population in a given area. He saw anglers with 40–50 pound flathead catfish.
Knox Lake is known for largemouth bass. It also has good populations of crappie, bluegill and channel catfish.
ODNR employees are heavily focusing on litter and pollution. The maximum penalty for that misdemeanor charge would be $500 and 60 days in jail, Levering said.
In addition to the dam stabilization, new gates were installed to control the lake levels. New rip rap was placed to prevent erosion. The back of the dam was smoothed out, which made it easier for walking and mowing, he said.
“Previously, the dam was very steep. It was very, very difficult to navigate and actually mow. Something else that I think is amazing is there are actual steps now, concrete steps going all the way up along the spillway. Whereas before it was just like a slick hill that you can easily fall down,” he said.
Along the spillway, a railing has been installed to allow access for fishing. Before, it was dangerous and visitors could have fallen off the side easily, Levering said. The railing makes it safer and more accessible for fishing.
Boaters can use the new boat ramp off Armentrout Road near Grandpa’s Tackle Box on Buena Vista Drive in Fredericktown.
“That previous boat ramp was known to be slick. It had a nasty drop-off ledge at the end if you backed your trailer all the way down it,” he said.
The new ramp has an easier incline and eliminates the drop off, making it more accessible for launching and loading boats. Anyone with a wait to load a boat after a day on the lake can use the courtesy docks installed for boaters’ temporary use. They also can serve to load up passengers and additional gear after launching a boat.
The parking lot has been resurfaced. Lines will be painted, marking spaces.
Knox Lake has a 10 p.m. curfew for anyone not engaged in hunting, fishing or trapping.
