Aerial Photo of Berlin Lake

Berlin Lake Brochure (99 KB)

Berlin Lake

7400 Bedell Road
Berlin Center, OH  44401-9707
(330) 547-3781
Daily Lake & Recreation Information:
(330) 547-5445

 

Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938, Berlin Lake is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District.  The project provides flood protection for the Mahoning River Valley was well as for the Beaver and Upper Ohio Rivers.  Since its completion in 1943, Berlin has prevented flood damages estimated to be in excess of $1 billion.  The project has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 6.9 inches of precipitation from its 249 square mile drainage area.

The project also provides communities downstream with a clean and dependable water supply and has helped to alleviate pollution problems along the Mahoning River Valley.  Additionally, Deer Creek Dam, which was built on project lands by the City of Alliance, Ohio, under agreement with the Department of the Army, provides a reservoir for domestic water supply to nearby communities.

 

Lake & Dam Statistics

Location:  On Mahoning River in Mahoning and Portage Counties, Ohio, about 35 miles upstream from Warren, Ohio.  The lake is located in Mahoning, Portage and Stark Counties.

 

Project area, acres

7,990

Drainage area above dam, square miles

249

Construction cost

$6,000,000

 

 

Dam

 

Type of structure:  Partially controlled concrete gravity type with center spillway flanked by rolled earth filled abutments

 

Height above streambed, feet

96

Length, feet (concrete section)

663.5

Width at base, feet (concrete section)

73

Volume of concrete, cubic yards

61,878

Volume of earth and rock  fill, cubic yards

349,759

Outlet Works:  Discharge is regulated by the control tower containing three 36” ball valves, two 36” ring jets and four 18’ x 30’ tainter gates

 

 

 

Lake

 

Length at normal pool, miles

18.6

Area, acres:

 

  Maximum (reservoir full)

5,500

  Normal (summer pool)

3,590

Elevation, feet above sea level:

 

  Maximum (reservoir full)

1,032

  Normal (summer pool)

1,024

  Streambed at dam

949

Maps

Vicinity Map

Berlin Lake Map

Mill Creek Campground Map and Rules

Recreation

Take time out to enjoy the ever-changing pattern of life and scenery that await your discovery at Berlin Lake. Located in northeastern Ohio within a short drive of Akron, Youngstown and Warren, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District invites you to exchange the sights and sounds of the city for those of the Ohio countryside. In addition to its colorful scenery, the Berlin Lake offers visitors a wide variety of recreational experiences. Whether it’s camping, boating, picnicking or just relaxing in peaceful surroundings you’ll find it at Berlin Lake.

Camping: The Mill Creek Recreation Area with its diversity of campsites, from wooded waterfront sites to grassy spots in the sun, is an ideal family campground. Facilities provided include flush toilets, hot showers, a large boat launching ramp and a sanitary disposal station. A limited number of campsites are also equipped with electric hookups. The Mill Creek Recreation Area campground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Water sports: Numerous launching ramps are located on the lake for the convenience of boating enthusiasts. Boats of many descriptions can be found on Berlin Lake during the summer, ranging from small fishing boat and sailboats to cruisers and runabouts of unlimited horsepower. There is a 10 M.P.H. speed limit on the lake at night. The usually smooth water surface also provides excellent skiing conditions. The average depth of the lake is between 10 and 15 feet, but some stumps and snags pose hazards for which boaters should be alert. Activities including swimming and scuba diving are allowed at your own risk. Remember all proper safety equipment and to stay clear of restricted areas. Jumping from cliffs, bridges, or other overhanging structures is strictly prohibited and will result in citations or other enforcement actions.

Fishing: Berlin Lake is renowned for its excellent walleye fishing and is one of the very few lakes in the area in which natural reproduction of the walleye population occurs. Anglers will also enjoy fishing for the largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, crappie and bluegill which abound in the lake. Winter offers many opportunities for ice fishing enthusiasts. Marina services, boating and fishing supplies are also available through concessionaires located at the lake.

Hunting: Hunting is permitted at Berlin Lake with the exception of developed recreation areas and posted areas. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources manages over 6,800 acres of project lands for public hunting and wildlife management purposes. Small game species in particular are found in abundance and easy access to hunting areas is available.

The Mill Creek Recreation Area with its diversity of campsites, from wooded waterfront sites to grassy spots in the sun, is an ideal family campground. Facilities provided include flush toilets, hot showers, a large boat launching ramp and a sanitary disposal station. A limited number of campsites are also equipped with electric hookups. The Mill Creek Recreation Area campground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Numerous launching ramps are located on the lake for the convenience of boating enthusiasts. Boats of many descriptions can be found on Berlin Lake during the summer, ranging from small fishing boat and sailboats to cruisers and runabouts of unlimited horsepower. There is a 10 M.P.H. speed limit on the lake at night. The usually smooth water surface also provides excellent skiing conditions. The average depth of the lake is between 10 and 15 feet, but some stumps and snags pose hazards for which boaters should be alert. Marina services, boating and fishing supplies are also available through concessionaires located at the lake.

Berlin Lake is renowned for its excellent walleye fishing and is one of the very few lakes in the area in which natural reproduction of the walleye population occurs. Anglers will also enjoy fishing for the largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, crappie and bluegill which abound in the lake.

Hunting is permitted at Berlin Lake with the exception of developed recreation areas and posted areas. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources manages over 6,800 acres of project lands for public hunting and wildlife management purposes. Small game species in particular are found in abundance and easy access to hunting areas is available.

Current Events

Lend a Hand for Public Lands

Come lend a hand for your public lands on September 17th, 2011 at our 8th Annual National Public Lands Day at Berlin Lake. Projects include shoreline clean-up, campsite renovation, habitat restoration, and painting. Call (330) 547-3781 for more information, to register your family or scout group or to donate supplies.

Interpretative Programs

Throughout the 2011 summer camping season many nature programs, Coast Guard presentations, and children’s educational activities will be taking place. Stop in at the campground entrance station or check the bulletin boards around the campground for what’s coming up next!

Campground Reservation

Many campsites at four Pittsburgh District lakes – Berlin Lake, Shenango River Lake, Tionesta Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake – can be reserved in advance through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS), an interagency one-stop center for recreation reservations.  Reservations can be made up to six months before arrival by calling the NRRS toll-free at 1-877-444-6777 or on their web site www.Recreation.gov.  Campsites at all other Pittsburgh District lakes, as well as other campsites at Berlin, Shenango, Tionesta and Youghiogheny, are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

FIREWOOD ALERT!

Don't Move Firewood!  Mahoning and Portage Counties are under quarantine for the movement of firewood in and out. The Ohio Department of Agriculture is trying to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an insect that kills ash trees. For more information regarding the devastation of the EAB go to http://www.emeraldashborer.info/index.cfm.  Campers are warned not to risk steep fines by bringing firewood from these quarantine zones into uninfested regions of the state.  Firewood is offered for sale from local private vendors.

ATV Policy for Berlin Lake

Off-road operation of any motorized vehicle on federal land adjacent to Berlin Lake is prohibited by Federal regulation.  Violation may result in a written warning or citation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Information about federal regulations regarding off-road vehicle operation may be obtained by call the Berlin Lake Office at (330) 547-3781.

Finding of No Signification Impact (FONSI) for Deer Creek Trail

The Stark County Parks District has proposed construction of the Mahoning River Trail which would connect the City of Alliance with the Deer Creek Reservoir and provide a scenic multi-purpose trail along the Mahoning River.  An Environmental Assessment for the proposed trail was prepared by Environmental Design Group, Inc. for Stark County.  After careful review and evaluation of the environmental effects of the proposed trail, the Pittsburgh District prepared a FONSI for the segment of the trial that is on federal land at Berlin Lake.

Day Use Policy at Berlin Lake

For the safety and security of all of Berlin Lake’s visitors, day users who wish to come into the Mill Creek Campground to walk, jog or bicycle during the recreation season must register and obtain a permit at the Contact Station prior to entering. The permit must be visible at all times while in the campground. Activities are limited to two hours per day, Mondays through Thursdays between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Entrance to the campground for these activities is not permitted on weekends and holidays. Parking for day users is permitted only in the Day Use parking lot. Violators of the Mill Creek Campground Day Use Policy will be denied future access to the campground for their activities.

Facilities & Activities

 

Bonner Road
Launching
Area

Dam
Picnic
Area

Deer Creek
Recreation
Area

Harbor
Marina

Les's Bait
Shop

Mill Creek
Recreation
Area

Willow Creek
Recreation
Area

Accessible Restroom

X*

X*

X*

-

*

X

-

Boat Launch Ramps

X

-

X

X

X

X

-

Boat Rental

-

-

-

-

X

-

-

Campground

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

Camper Dump Station

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

Drinking Water

-

-

X

-

-

X

-

Electric Hookups

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

Group Camping Area

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

Pets On Leash

-

X

X

-

-

X

-

Picnic Areas

-

X

X

-

-

X

-

Picnic Shelters

-

X

-

-

-

X

-

Restroom Facilities

X*

X*

X*

X

X*

X

-

Showers

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

Swim Area

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Trail

-

-

X

-

-

X

-

* Accessible portable toilets are available at the Bonner Road Launching Area, Dam Picnic Area,
Deer Creek Recreation Area and Lee’s Bait Shop during the recreation season.

Links of Interest

Pittsburgh District Lakes and Dams:
    Berlin      Conemaugh River Lake

Crooked Creek Lake

East Branch Clarion River Lake

Kinzua Dam/Allegheny Reservoir

Loyalhanna Lake

Mahoning Creek Lake

Michael J. Kirwan Dam

Mosquito Creek Lake

Shenango River Lake

Stonewall Jackson Lake

Tionesta Lake

Tygart Lake

Union City Dam

Woodcock Creek Lake

 Youghiogheny River Lake

Recreation On The Water:

Diving

Fishing/Ice Fishing

Ice Skating

Swimming

Watercraft Sports

Waterskiing

 

 

Recreation Around the Water:

Bicycling

Camping

Cross Country Skiing

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Hunting

Interpretation

Nature Observing

ORV Riding

Picnicking

Sightseeing

Snowmobiling

 

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Updated: 09-Feb-2012