Tappan Lake, Ohio

Also referred to as Tappan Reservoir, Tappan Lake is a reservoir situated in Harrison County amidst the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio. Tappan Lake, which has a 399-horsepower cap for boats, is owned by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and is a beautiful place for camping, swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. Being extremely popular among Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania water sport enthusiasts, Tappan Lake also offers a full-service marina, two public boat launch ramps, restaurants, a roadside rest area, and dock and boat rentals. 

Geography Of Tappan Lake

Tappan Lake is located halfway between the villages of Cadiz in Harrison County and Dennison in Tuscarawas County. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District includes the lake, which covers about 9.5 sq. km of water and 20 sq. km of surrounding land. Tappan Lake is situated at a normal elevation level of 274.1 m above sea level. The ideal months to visit or travel to Tappan Lake are from May to September. The average temperature throughout these months remains around 24°C.

History Of Tappan Lake

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District was established under state legislation, with the main objectives being flood management, conservation, and recreation. The lake was built in 1936 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who built a dam across Little Stillwater Creek. As part of the Ohio-Mississippi Flood Control Program, Tappan Lake managed flooding along the Muskingum River. In the Muskingum Watershed, Tappan was the first dam to be built. This project was the first which allowed for a permanent impoundment behind the dam to provide water resources and a recreation area. The former town of Tappan gave its name to the lake. The historic settlement of Laceyville lies permanently submerged below Tappan Lake.

Fishing In Tappan Lake

The 47 miles of shoreline along Tappan Lake make it the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Lake with the most accessible shoreline fishing. Bluegill, bullhead, flathead catfish, walleye, white bass, and yellow perch are found in the lake. Channel catfish, largemouth bass, and white crappie are the three most frequently caught species in this area.

Threats To Tappan Lake

It has been discovered that some areas in the Tappan Lake outlet work region could lead to the presence and potential discharge of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gases. The Tappan Lake discharge region has been blocked for public safety reasons, and it will stay closed until the issue resolves itself organically. In addition, a coal firm has requested a permit to release coal pollutants into a Tappan Lake tributary. About 50 surface acres and 4,404 subsurface acres are anticipated to be affected by a proposed mine.

Attractions In And Around Tappan Lake

Tappan-Moravian Trail Ohio Scenic Byway

The Tappan-Moravian Trail Ohio Scenic Byway traverses the lake region and northern parts of the county. Two new historical markers have been put up in Deersville and Feed Springs, which are on the road that rounds Tappan Lake.

Clark Gable Birth Home-Gift Shop And Museum

The actual home where "The King of Hollywood" was born on February 1, 1901, has been faithfully recreated in this museum. Explore the museum and take in the many displays of Clark Gable memorabilia. The King's possessions, including a 1954 Cadillac and a childhood sled, are also found in the property, which has been decorated in a period-appropriate style.

Harrison County History Of Coal Museum

The museum is a non-profit educational institution whose mission is to preserve Harrison County's illustrious mining history. From picks and shovels to enormous machines that move and tunnel the earth, one can learn about the intriguing history of mining at this museum. The Coal Museum also provides a thorough examination of both early and contemporary mining in Southeast Ohio. A functioning scale model of a dragline, heavy machinery, early mining tools, company store items, historical photographs, and exhibits explaining the genesis of coal are all on display at the museum.

Scio Historical Museum

The 1889 oil boom, Scio Pottery, Scio High School, and the Scio American Legion are all represented in the collections and artifacts housed in the Scio Historical Museum, a historic yellow brick mansion on Main and Carrollton Streets in the village's center. There are several early editions of publications on General George Custer on exhibit, along with other Custer images and assorted memorabilia from the American Civil War. Recently, rooms upstairs with quilts, village flags, banners, and old apparel have been made available.