Clendening Lake, located in Harrison County, Ohio, is a serene reservoir formed by damming Brushy Fork, approximately 0.5 miles east of Tippecanoe. This picturesque lake is part of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, established in 1933 to mitigate the devastating floods that struck Ohio, particularly the Great Flood of 1913. Clendening Lake, Ohio’s largest unspoiled lake, provides a special natural haven.
Surrounding Clendening Lake, visitors will find Boy Scout Summer Camp Fort Steuben Scout Reservation, Clendening Marina in Freeport, and the YMCA’s Camp Tippecanoe near Tippecanoe, Ohio. The neighborhood offers several opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as picnic spots, playgrounds, and camping. According to local legend, houses from a previous settlement were submerged before the area flooded to create the lake.
Anglers will find it fascinating to learn that on July 28, 1979, a flathead catfish weighing 76.5 pounds and measuring 58 5/8 inches in length was captured here, setting a new state record for Ohio.
The Clendening Dam, an impressive structure standing 750 feet long, is situated 0.6 miles east of Tippecanoe. The dam maintains a normal water pool level of 898 feet above sea level, ensuring a stable water supply and flood control.