Cj Brown Dam and Reservoir - Dam Site (oh)

C.J. Brown Reservoir is in west-central Ohio, two miles northeast of Springfield, thirty-five miles northeast of Dayton and forty-five miles west of Columbus. The reservoir offers three reservable picnic shelters with grills, picnic tables, electric service and water fountains. The Visitor Center has exhibits on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the history of the dam and lake, along with the natural resources and recreation in the area; restrooms for the Meadow View shelter are located there. There are many things to do at the lake, including fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching and picnicking. At nearby Buck Creek State Park, visitors also enjoy swimming, boating and camping. The Buck Creek valley was once a patchwork of wetland fens, prairie meadows, oak savannas and open oak woodlands. Today the 2,120-acre reservoir is surrounded by varied habitats, from brushy old fields to restored prairie to forest. C.J. Brown was designated an Ohio Important Bird Area in 2002. Adjacent Buck Creek State Park has a campground, rental cottages, a marina, swimming beach and trails. Springfield, Ohio, is just a few miles away and has several museums worth visiting, including the Heritage Center and the Frank Lloyd Wright Westcott House.