Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD)

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Watershed(s) of Focus: Muskingum River Watershed

Counties in Coverage Area: Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Washington and Wayne
Contact Name: Darrin Lautenschleger
Job Title: Public Affairs Manager
Address:

1319 3rd St. NW
P.O. Box 349
New Philadelphia, OH 44663

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District was established in 1933 by the citizens of the Muskingum River Watershed to provide flood reduction and water conservation in the state's largest wholly contained watershed area. By 1938, 14 dams and reservoirs were constructed, with two others constructed later. Since their construction, the dams and reservoirs have spared billions of dollars in property damage from flooding and saved countless lives. The dams in the system are owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), while the MWCD manages the reservoirs behind the dams.

The MWCD also has several active and inactive subdistricts that focus on smaller watershed areas for flood reduction and water conservation programs, and participates in watershed-based education and improvement programs. The MWCD works with other watershed coordinators within the Muskingum River Watershed to improve water resources and quality in the region, as well as to support grass-roots programs to preserve and/or improve conditions.

The MWCD drainage area stretches from Summit County in the north to where the Muskingum River empties into the Ohio River at Marietta in Washington County. It covers more than 8,000 square miles and is located in a region with more than 2 million residents.

Listing Updated: 2007-08-13