LaDue Reservoir

The reservoir and surrounding land is owned by the City of Akron, Ohio and is operated by Akron's [http://www.akronohio.gov/cms/Water/Watershed/index.html Watershed Division].

The reservoir is one of three reservoirs that make up the City of Akron water supply, including LaDue Reservoir, East Branch Reservoir in Claridon Township, Geauga County, Ohio, and Lake Rockwell in Franklin Township, Portage County, Ohio.{{cite web|title=Reservoirs|url=http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/PubUtil/WaterSupply/WaterShedReservoirs.asp|work=Watershed Management|publisher=City of Akron: Public Utilities|accessdate=2011-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326123726/http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/PubUtil/WaterSupply/WaterShedReservoirs.asp|archive-date=2012-03-26|url-status=dead}} The main purposes of these reservoirs are to provide flood control to downstream areas, replenish the river’s flow during dry periods, and maintain an ample supply of available drinking water for Akron.

Because Lake Rockwell is the main drinking water supply for the City of Akron, it is highly protected with no trespassing, fishing, or recreation permitted. However, both the East Branch Reservoir and the LaDue Reservoir are open to fishing, boating, and hunting. However, the Ohio Revised Code has special fishing regulations for LaDue Reservoir that do not allow gasoline motors on any watercraft, limit the size of electric motors, and restrict shoreline fishing to the right-of-ways along Ohio State Route 44, U.S. Route 422, and Auburn Road.{{cite web|title=Ohio Laws and Rules|url=http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/1501%3A31-13-07|work=Chapter 1501:31-13 Sport Fishing|publisher=State of Ohio|accessdate=2011-09-11}}

The Bridge Creek Dam {{small|1={{coord|41|24|16|N|81|11|2|W|name=Bridge Creek Dam}}}}, also known as the LaDue Dam, is a rolled earth fill with impervious core, maximum height {{convert|35|ft}}, top length {{convert|3200|ft}}, top width {{convert|40|ft}}, base width about {{convert|120|ft}} and length {{convert|4500|ft}}. Spillway: Uncontrolled concrete lined saddle spillway that is {{convert|200|ft}} at the top and {{convert|250|ft}} near at the base. The drop is about {{convert|30|ft}}. The Bridge Creek Dam is a restricted zone with “No Trespassing Zone” signs on land and has marker buoys in the water.{{cite web|title=Wildlife Area Maps|url=http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/WildlifeAreaMaps/NortheastOhioWildlifeAreaMaps/LaDuePublicHuntingArea/tabid/21191/Default.aspx|work=LaDue Public Hunting Area|publisher=Ohio Department of Natural Resources|accessdate=2011-09-11}}

The Black Brook Dike is {{convert|100|ft}} wide and nearly {{convert|1.0|mi|km|abbr=on}} long. It is located at the southern tip of the reservoir near the intersection of Bartholomew Road and Ohio State Route 44.{{cite web|title=LaDue Reservoir|url=http://www.auditor.co.geauga.oh.us/ag2map/index.jsp?action=layerOff&layerNum=4&toolType=zoomin&scaleBox=14452&parcelLabels=None&L3=on&L13=on&L35=on&L37=on&L66=on|work=Access Geauga|publisher=Geauga County Auditor|accessdate=2011-09-11}}

The Black Brook Dam {{small|1={{coord|41|21|4|N|81|12|36|W|name=Black Brook Dike}}}} is a rolled earth fill with impervious core, maximum height {{convert|20|ft}}, top length {{convert|325|ft}}, top width {{convert|30|ft}}, base width about {{convert|100|ft}} and length {{convert|1100|ft}}. It is located near the intersection of Crackel Road and Ohio State Route 44, about {{convert|1500|ft|m|abbr=on}} feet north of the Geauga-Portage County border.{{cite web|title=Access Geauga|url=http://www.auditor.co.geauga.oh.us/ag2map/index.jsp?action=layerOn&layerNum=4&toolType=measure&scaleBox=7226&parcelLabels=None&L3=on&L4=on&L13=on&L35=on&L37=on&L66=on|work=Black Brook Dam|publisher=Geauga County Auditor|accessdate=2011-09-11}} It uses a {{convert|6|ft}} concrete drainage ditch to evacuate water. The Black Brook Dike and Dam are restricted zones with “No Trespassing Zone” signs posted on land and marker buoys in the water.

The LaDue Reservoir wildlife area includes {{convert|8791|acres|ha}} that protects the watershed of the east branch of the Cuyahoga River from the East Branch Reservoir at [http://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/parks/headwaters.shtml Headwaters Park] in East Claridon, Ohio to Ohio State Route 82 in Mantua Township, Portage County, Ohio.{{cite web|title=LaDue Public Hunting Area: Publication 316|url=http://dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub316.pdf|work=Division of Wildlife|publisher=Ohio Department of Natural Resources|accessdate=2011-09-11|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402100330/http://dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub316.pdf|archivedate=2012-04-02}}

For many years, the City of Akron managed recreation activities at its reservoirs. Since 2002, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources [http://ohiodnr.com/tabid/4414/Default.aspx Division of Wildlife] has managed the [http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/WildlifeAreaMaps/NortheastOhioWildlifeAreaMaps/LaDuePublicHuntingArea/tabid/21191/Default.aspx LaDue Public Hunting Area] for the City of Akron, which includes hunting, trapping, boating, and fishing. The wildlife area includes diverse wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, and woodchuck. Waterfowl include migrating mallards, wood duck, and Canada geese. LaDue Reservoir contains sport fish including walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, white and black crappie, and channel catfish.

Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1501:31-13 designates special fishing regulations for LaDue Reservoir that restrict watercraft to electric motors only and restrict shorelines fishing to the right-of-ways along Ohio State Route 44, U.S. Route 422, and Auburn Roads. Fishing in Ohio requires a valid [http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/vendor.aspx Ohio Fishing License] and is subject to [http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/fishing.aspx Ohio fishing regulations]. No gasoline engines can be used on LaDue Reservoir.

ODNR Division of Wildlife maintains a gravel boat ramp with portable toilets near the intersection of [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=auburn,+ohio&hl=en&ll=41.387233,-81.206099&spn=0.004387,0.009044&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.871902,74.091797&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=17 East Washington Street and Valley Road].{{cite web|title=Fishing Maps|url=http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/FishingSubhomePage/LakeMapLandingPage/LaDueReservoirFishingMap/tabid/19530/Default.aspx|work=LaDue Reservoir Fishing Map|publisher=Ohio Department of Natural Resources|accessdate=2001-09-11}} There is also an unimproved boat ramp at the south end of the reservoir where Ohio State Route 44 [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=auburn,+ohio&hl=en&ll=41.368556,-81.221291&spn=0.004388,0.009044&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.871902,74.091797&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=17 crosses the reservoir]. Boats are limited to electric motors only.

As of 2019, Breakaway Excursions began operating kayak and fishing boat rentals out of the La Due boathouse.

Waterfowl hunting on LaDue Reservoir is limited to designated areas only and limited to hunters selected in an annual drawing held by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Hunting in Ohio is subject to [http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/hunting.aspx hunting regulations].

Furbearer trapping is permitted throughout the area, however, it too requires a permit to trap beaver or river otter and is limited to trappers selected in an annual drawing by the Division of Wildlife. Trapping in Ohio is subject to [http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/trapping.aspx trapping regulations].

In 2010, excessive heat contributed to concerns for harmful algal blooms in many inland lakes in NE Ohio, including LaDue Reservoir. A harmful algal bloom occurs when naturally occurring blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, produce neurotoxins, which affect the nervous system, and hepatotoxins, which affect the liver.{{cite web|title=HAB Historical Data|url=http://www.epa.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?tabid=5159|work=Algal blooms|publisher=Ohio Environmental Protection Agency|accessdate=2011-09-11}} It is now monitored by the [https://web.archive.org/web/20110910175407/http://www.odh.ohio.gov/features/odhfeatures/algalblooms.aspx Ohio Department of Health].

• Geauga Park District
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources

{{Reflist}}

• [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=la+due+reservoir&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=28.805654,56.162109&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=La+Due+Reservoir&ll=41.384923,-81.212139&spn=0.053192,0.109692&t=h&z=13 Google Maps Ladue Reservoir]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121007075730/http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/lakemaps/LaDueReservoir.pdf ODNR LaDue Reservoir Map]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120402100330/http://dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub316.pdf ODNR LaDue Public Hunting Area: Publication 316]
• [http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/FishingSubhomePage/LakeMapLandingPage/LaDueReservoirFishingMap/tabid/19530/Default.aspx LaDue Reservoir Fishing Map: Publication 264]

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Geauga County

Category:Bodies of water of Geauga County, Ohio

Category:Reservoirs in Ohio

Category:Dams in Ohio

Category:Tourist attractions in Geauga County, Ohio

Category:Kettle lakes in the United States