In Washington County, Mississippi, there is an oxbow lake called Lake Washington. It formed when the Mississippi River changed its course around 1300 AD. The lake’s environment includes duckweed and cypress trees, making it a scenic spot. The lake supports a diverse range of fish species such as bowfin, bluegill, buffalo, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, crappie, drum, flathead catfish, gar, green sunfish, hybrid white bass, largemouth bass, minnows, silversides, and yellow bass. The lake has a rich history. The first permanent residence in Washington County was established here by Frederick G. Turnbull in 1826. His home, Linden, built in 1914, and Mount Holly, a pre-Civil War mansion on the east shore, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Another historical site, the Junius Ward home, was built in 1826 and remains in the same family. The Law House, built in 1902 from a Sears & Roebuck kit, overlooks the lake and was featured in the 2012 movie “Haunted.” On the north shore, Roy’s Store has been in business for over 100 years. The lake has faced pollution challenges, particularly from agricultural runoff. In 1973, commercial fishing was halted due to contamination. A significant blue-green algal bloom in 1990 caused the death of 14 dogs. Efforts have since been made to reduce pollution and improve water quality.
