Mission Statement
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is dedicated to conservation
and recreation conducted in harmony with flood control in the area of
Ohio drained by the Muskingum River and its tributaries. Funded from
income generated by the stewardship of its lands and waters, the Conservancy
District strives to enhance the quality of life in the Muskingum Lakes
Region and beyond.
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History
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) was created
in 1933 for the purpose of flood control and conservation. But the great
flood of 1913 was primarily responsible for the initial idea of the
development of a Conservancy District.
The 1913 flood in Ohio caused great devastation in loss of life and
property. After the flood, citizens pledged more than two million dollars
to learn how future disasters might be prevented. In 1917, the Ohio
Conservancy Act was passed. The new law permitted citizens of a threatened
area to work together to plan, finance and manage a flood control project.
Under the law a watershed area could be organized into a conservancy
district, with the status of a political subdivision of the state and
a public corporation. The Conservancy District would have the power
to plan, construct and administer flood control and conservation projects.
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Formation of MWCD
MWCD was formed in 1933. The original mandate for MWCD was
to raise the necessary funds, and then plan, build and administer flood
control and conservation projects. By 1938, the construction of 13 earthen
dams and one concrete dam was completed. Responsibility for flood control
was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the Flood Control
Act of 1939. MWCD is still responsible for conservation and recreation
on its lands and waters, and works with the U.S. Army Corps of engineers
to assist with flood control.
The dams creating the reservoirs for flood water retention were placed
on the main tributaries of the Muskingum River. The reservoirs were
placed there so the peak flow from any flood would be so reduced that
communities along the main river would be safe. A natural offshoot of
the flood control was due to the large reservoirs created, and the large
public lands have been developed into camping areas, parks, lakes, marinas
and youth camps.
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What is a Watershed?
When it rains, water flows down hill -- but where that water goes
helps explain a watershed. At any point in a water course, it drains
to certain rivers and lakes. The Muskingum Watershed includes all of
the area which drains into to the Muskingum River and its tributaries
where it joins with the Ohio River.
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Size of MWCD
MWCD is the largest conservancy district in the state, encompassing
18 counties, or one-fifth of the state. MWCD is bounded by Akron to
the north, Marietta to the south, Mansfield to the west and Cadiz to
the east. The 18 counties include Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton,
Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble,
Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Washington, and Wayne.
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How MWCD is Administered
The organization is governed by a Conservancy Court made up of one
common pleas court judge from each of the 18 counties in MWCD. MWCD
was created by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Court under
the provision of the Ohio Conservancy Act. The court appoints the five
person Board of Directors who oversee the operations of the MWCD. The
headquarters of the Conservancy District is in New Philadelphia, near
the geographical center of the Conservancy District. MWCD is a local
agency of government, not Federal or State.
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Four Basic Policies of MWCD
- MWCD pays real estate taxes to the various counties on land not
dedicated to public use.
- MWCD would operate on a minimum of tax income. MWCD is a government
agency which receives no direct tax revenue for operations.
- MWCD makes its lands and waters available for a variety of recreational
uses including fishing, hunting, boating, camping, swimming and other
outdoor activities.
- MWCD does not duplicate the same work as any other federal or state
agency. This policy encourages MWCD to combine the resources and efforts
of state and federal agencies into MWCD programs.
MWCD operates primarily on a self-sustaining basis - paid through visitors' fees,
commercial and residential leases, contract services for other agencies,
and federal and state grants.
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Conservation
Conservation is a key activity of MWCD assisting with flood control
and providing income to the Conservancy District. An initial land use
study was done of the MWCD lands adjoining its permanent lakes. The
study found the majority of the land to be hilly, and badly eroded.
All had originally been in timber. The study recommended these lands
be utilized for forestry production. Forestry is now MWCD's main conservation
activity. More than 12 million trees have already been planted and other
original stands improved through conservation efforts.
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