The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mohicanville Dam, was built in 1935 to provide flood control on the lake fork of the Mohican River in Ashland County, Ohio. The dam consists of rolled earth fill with an impervious core and is 46 feet tall, and 1220 feet long. There are two dikes four miles southeast of the dam, the spillway has an elevation of 963 feet, and no permeant pool is maintained at the site.
Fishing, boating, and picnicking are available around the Corps of Engineers Mohicanville Dam site. Wildlife watching and birding at the dam, and at nearby natural areas is a popular activity in the vicinity, with plenty of waterfowl and other wildlife residing in the region. Dam tours can be arranged by contacting the Project Supervisor at the Corps of Engineers Office. No restrooms or facilities exist at the site. However, there is a picnic table and trash disposal can next to the parking lot below the dam.
The nearest sizeable center with amenities and services is The Village of Loudonville, Ohio, which is a 15-minute drive away. Overnight camping is available at Mohican State Park. If you want to explore the Mohicanville Dam site and try some RV camping in the area, you can rent an RV at Ohio RV Rentals.
Mohicanville Dam is located on the east side of Ashland Country Road 175, about 14 miles south of Ashland, and 10 miles north of Loudonville, on the lake fork of the Mohican River. There is a picnic area below the dam, which can be accessed by a gravel road beside the Corps of Engineers office with a parking lot. Route 175 is paved. However, the gravel road may be muddy or dusty, depending on current weather conditions.
Overnight camping is available at Mohican State Park, which is just a 20-minute drive south, just under 13 miles away from the Mohicanville Dam site. From the COE dam take route 175 south to route 179 and head southeast, when you reach State Highway 3, turn west, proceed through Loudonville, and continue south to Mohican State Park and the state park camping on the right side of the road. Access roads to and in the state park and campground are paved and easy to navigate for RVers and tow vehicles. The park is well signed, and once in the campground, it is easy to find numbered back in and pull-through sites.
When driving in the area during the offseason, be aware that inclement winter weather can create hazardous road conditions in the Ohio area. If towing a trailer or using an RV, icy conditions can be particularly challenging. Slow down and conduct braking and turns cautiously. Winter tires are an asset on snow and ice-covered roads.
Mohican State Park’s main campground area has 221 campsites. There are cabin, group campsites, tent-only sites, and day use shelters, as well as 100 RV electric hookup sites, 25 RV sites with no hookups, and 49 RV sites with full hookups. If you are unfamiliar with using electric hookups with your RV, check out How To Manage Electricity. Sites are well treed and include pull through and back in sites that are well graveled. Amenities at the site include an RV dump station, flush toilets, laundromat, marina, campground store, olympic sized swimming pool, splash pad, playground, volleyball and basketball courts. Some sports equipment can be rented from the campground store. Mohican State Park is a 1110 acre park sitting adjacent to a 4525-acre state forest. Hiking trails abound along the campgrounds borders and the campground is situated along a river. The peak season is between April and October with off season camping available from November through March. A ranger station, comfort station, and telephone are also available on site.
While visiting the Mohicanville Dam, you can fish in the downstream fishing access area, or in the Funk Bottoms Wildlife area, which is just a few miles to the northeast of the dam site. Species available in the stream include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Fishing from a boat on the water surface or the shore is permitted. To fish the area, be aware of local rules and regulations, and have a valid State of Ohio Fishing license. Early spring and fall are great times for fishing in the area, water levels permitting.
Wildlife watching at the Mohicanville Dam area, near the intersection of Township Road 2250 and country Road 175 at the pond and wetlands, and at the Funks Bottom Wildlife Area, just northeast of the dam site is a popular activity in the region. Ducks, geese, and shorebirds are abundant in the area, and raptors are also frequently spotted.
Amphibians like frogs and reptiles like turtles can often be found in the creeks and ditches in the region. An observation deck at Funk Bottoms is great for viewing migrating bird species in the early spring and late fall. Mammals in the area include deer, raccoon, rabbit, muskrat, woodchuck, fox, and squirrel. Bring a camera and a journal to record your findings.
Hunting in the nearby 1444 acres Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area is permitted. You can contact the manager for the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife area for more information. You can also hunt on the Corps of Engineers properties if you get written permission, which is available at the Corps Office located off Township Road 175 at the dam site.
Commonly taken species in the area including Canada goose, mallard, wood duck, and blue-winged teal. Hunting is only available in appropriate seasons, gun safety practices should be carefully observed, and required hunting licenses and tags for the State of Ohio are required.
Head out on local state and county highways, the road access across the Mohicanville Dam, or the gravel access road downstream in the fishing area with your bike, to enjoy the natural area located at this Corps site. Gravel roads can be difficult to cycle on with park or street bikes, and off-road/mountain bikes with wide knobby tires have better traction on natural and gravel surfaces. Wear a helmet and obey traffic rules on public roads.
There is a canoe/kayak launch ramp, four miles downstream of Mohicanville Dam which is open to the public. Water levels vary depending on the season, and the amount of water released from the dam. There is a current here, so remember that if you paddle downstream, you will need to paddle upstream against the current to get back to the launch. Life preservers must be present on watercraft for all passengers.
Just below the dam, there is a picnic area with a picnic table under a large shady tree and a trash receptacle. There are no restrooms or drinking water present on the site. Pack an outdoor meal and take the gravel road from the project office on Route 175 at the dam to the picnic site. Enjoy the natural wooded area, the dam, and stream, and the sound of local songbirds to serenade your alfresco meal.
