Reservations, Fees & Passes
Campground Fee:
$43 per night - Premium full hook-up
$60 per night - Premium waterfront/view full hook-up
Piedmont Lake is within the Lower Tuscarawas section of the Muskingum Area. It was authorized by Section 4 of the Flood Control Act (FCA) of 1938, as amended by Section 4 of the FCA of 1939. Primary project purposes are flood damage reduction, recreation, and fish and wildlife. The dam was completed in May 1937 and serves a drainage area of 86 square miles. Land includes 111 fee acres and 6,615 easement acres. The dam is a rolled earth-fill, 56 ft tall, 1,750 ft. long, 25 ft. wide at the top and 500 ft. wide at the base. The spillway is an uncontrolled saddle beyond the left abutment. The intake structure contains four 3.5 x 7 ft. gated sluices discharging through a 10 x 10 ft. horseshoe tunnel near the left abutment and stilling basin. To maintain minimum pool, siphons are located in front of gates 3 and 4 and discharge below gate 4.
At summer elevation the Piedmont Lake pool covers 2,312 acres over portions of Harrison, Belmont, and Guernsey Counties. The lake has a maximum depth of 38 feet and there are 38 miles of shoreline. Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District owns the lake and surrounding lands. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers own and operate the dam. The dam continues to provide flood damage reduction, and the lake provides recreation opportunities as well as fish and wildlife habitat. For tours of the Piedmont Lake facilities contact the Piedmont Lake Project Supervisor at (740) 968-4440.
Recreation Opportunities
Visitor Center
There is no Visitor Center available at Piedmont Lake.
Boating
The maximum boat horsepower limit at Piedmont Lake is 10 HP. There are two public launch ramps located on the lake. For more information contact the Piedmont Marina at (740) 658-3735.
You must have a life jacket for each person on board. Take a safe boating course and learn boating laws. Don't operate a vessel when under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. Be safe when you're out on the water.
Camping
Camping at Piedmont Lake is available through the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. The marina maintains 80 campsites and electric hookups are available. Call the marina at (740) 658-1029 or MWCD at (330) 343-6647 or visit their website at mwcd.org to get more information. Federal Recreation passes such as Golden Age, Golden Access, or America the Beautiful - National Park and Federal Recreation Lands Access Passes are not honored at MWCD facilities, but anyone over the age of 60 or those who have a Golden Buckeye Card receive a 10% discount.
Day-use
There are no designated picnic areas near the dam. There is a picnic area located at a roadside rest on State Route 22, ¼ mile west of Piedmont Dam, maintained by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Fishing
Fishing is excellent at Piedmont Lake. Fishing, from shoreline or boat, is permitted on all MWCD lakes.
Hunting
The Egypt Valley Wildlife Area, with approximately 14,000 acres of public land, provides excellent hunting. Hunting is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, which issues a publication about Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations. In the interest of safety, hunting on MWCD land is prohibited in or near restricted use areas as well as near residential areas, buildings, public roads and highways around the lake. Hunting maps can be obtained from mwcd.org or the Ohio Division of Wildlife Officer at (740) 968-3859.
Marinas
There is one Marina located on the lake. The Piedmont Marina is a full service marina offering boat rentals, sales, service, supplies, docking, a lunch counter and motel units. For information contact the Piedmont Marina at (740) 658-1029.
Swimming
No swimming beaches are available at this lake. MWCD has designated a boat-accessible swimming area marked with buoys in the lake.
Trails
A portion of the Buckeye Trail goes through the Piedmont Lake area.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources now offers a trails app that puts the information right at your fingertips and includes the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District trails (DETOUR app).
Rules & Regulations
General Policies
A full list of Federal regulations that apply to all US Army Corps of Engineers properties can be found in Title 36 of the United States Code (USC). Title 36, The Rules and Regulations that Govern Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects.
Firearms
Possession of firearms in a federal facility, including locks, dams, power plants, ranger stations, buildings, switchyards, recreation facilities, warehouses, and offices is strictly prohibited. This prohibition includes the storage or transporting of a personally owned firearm in controlled access parking areas or Government vehicles, heavy equipment, boats and vessels under the operational control of the District regardless of its location. Exceptions for Federal employees are only allowed for Federal law enforcement officers or where possession of a firearm is specifically authorized by law.
Fireworks
Fireworks, along with explosives, firearms and other weapons are prohibited on Government Property. Detailed information can be found in Title 36, The Rules and Regulations that Govern Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects, Section 327.13.
Contact
Piedmont Lake
32665 Belmont Ridge Road
Piedmont, OH 53983
pa2@usace.army.mil
740-968-4440