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Paint Creek Lake & Deer Creek Lake Regional Master Plan

Huntington District
Published Jan. 4, 2024
Paint Creek Lake

Paint Creek Lake

Deer Creek Dam

Deer Creek Dam

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Huntington District is seeking public and agency input for the final Paint Creek Lake & Deer Creek Lake Regional Master Plan. The previous Scoping and Resource Objective meetings and comment periods were held on these dates:

  • Agency and Public Scoping – Oct 14, 2020 - Dec 18, 2020
  • Agency and Public Resource Objective Input – Aug 19, 2021 – Sep 18, 2021
  • The public comment period has been extended an additional 30 days ending on August 28th 2023.

The existing Master Plan documents and map are available to download at the bottom of the page as well as a comment form with instructions on how to send comments.  Download a PDF copy to read the presentation. 

About Paint Creek Lake & Deer Creek Lake
Paint Creek Lake is owned by USACE and was completed in 1973 for the purpose of reducing flood damages in the Ohio River Basin. Paint Creek Lake was officially dedicated to the public on 14 June 1974. The lake provides flood control (authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938) for the communities along Paint Creek. In addition, it provides water supply for Highland Water Company, increases water flow downstream during low flow conditions, and provides recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. Paint Creek dam is 37 stream miles above the confluence of Paint Creek and the Scioto at Chillicothe, and 100 miles above the junction of the Scioto and Ohio Rivers at Portsmouth. The project, 20 miles west of Chillicothe in Ross and Highland counties, regulates runoff from 573 square miles - about 50% of Paint Creek basin’s drainage area.

Deer Creek Lake is also owned by USACE and was constructed from 1965 and 1968 to reduce flood damages in the Ohio River Basin. It is managed for flood control (authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938) and recreation. The Deer Creek Lake project area consists of 7,675 acres that are located in southwest central Ohio, The project is located in portions of Pickaway, Madison and Fayette Counties. Deer Creek Lake is approximately 30 miles southwest of Columbus, 65 miles northeast of Cincinnati, 50 miles east of Dayton, and 25 miles northwest of Chillicothe. The Deer Creek Lake dam is located in the western portion of Pickaway County on Deer Creek 21 miles upstream of the conflux with the Scioto River. The conflux of Deer Creek to the Scioto River is 106 miles above the mouth of the Scioto River.

What is a Master Plan?
The Master Plan is the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all project recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resources project. Revision of the Master Plan will not address in detail the technical operational aspects of the reservoir related to the water supply or flood risk management missions of the project. As both projects are in close proximity to each other, the revision will result in a single document addressing both projects in the form of a Regional Master Plan.

Why Revise the Paint Creek Lake & Deer Creek Lake Master Plans?
The current Master Plan at Paint Creek Lake was published in June 1985, and in June 1984 for Deer Creek Lake. The master plans do not comply with USACE guidance regarding master plans are in need of revision. Changes have occurred over time and need to be captured to reflect the current and future management of the projects. The current master plans and land classifications are in need of revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and USACE management policy. Key topics to be addressed in the revised Regional Master Plan include revised land classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special topics such as invasive species management and protection of sensitive wildlife habitat. Public participation is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan.

Provide comments or questions to:  DeerCreekPaintCreekMP@usace.army.mil