Valley Water Mill Pond

Valley Water Mill Pond is a 13 acres (5.3 ha) reservoir located just north of Springfield, Missouri. It is managed under a joint operation between the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks and the Missouri Conservation Department.[2] The reservoir is spring fed and has Secchi disk readings of over 4 feet (1.2 m).

Valley Water Mill Pond
Valley Water Mill Lake
Location of the lake in Missouri.
Location of the lake in Missouri.
Valley Water Mill Pond
Location of the lake in Missouri.
Location of the lake in Missouri.
Valley Water Mill Pond
LocationMissouri, United States
Coordinates37°15′49″N 93°14′51″W / 37.2636°N 93.2476°W / 37.2636; -93.2476
Typereservoir
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area13 acres (5.3 ha)
Max. depth14 ft (4.3 m)
Surface elevation1,194 ft (364 m)[1]
ReferencesU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Valley Water Mill Pond

Recreation

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The reservoir is located in Valley Water Mill Park. The park has hiking trails, a conference center, and a picnic area. The reservoir has two fishing docks as well as bank access. Boating and swimming are not allowed. Fishing is allowed and common fish species that are present include largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish, and black crappie.[3]

History

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The original dam at Valley Water Mill was built in the 1850s, to hold water for the operation of McCracken Mill, a local grist mill. In 1957, the lake and land that became the park were purchased by the Springfield Green County parks department. In 2008, the lake and dam were re-constructed giving the reservoir a maximum depth of 14 feet (4.3 m). The reservoir was reopened to fishing in 2012.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Valley Water Mill Pond
  2. ^ "Fishing at Valley Water Mill". 3 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Valley Water Mill Lake". MDC Fisheries. 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  4. ^ "Lake History and Characteristics" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Valley Water Mill Park".