September 2, 2014

Mill Creek CG, Berlin Center, OH

It was very overcast as we took a ride up to the ranger station. We decided to stay until the park closes for the season on Sunday.  The ranger station is closed on Tuesday so we dropped our fee envelope off in the iron ranger.

 

We took a ride to the nearby Berlin Dam stopping off at Berlin Boat Covers first.  Approximately an inch of our awning is pulling away at one corner.  Monte went inside the store to see if they could suggest a repair.  He ended up buying a seam tape called Tear-Aid Patch that can be used on canvas, nylon, rubber and plastic products. 

The owner told Monte that if wanted to bring in the awning it could be cut where it is ripped and the end sewn at a very reasonable cost.  I’m not sure how involved it would be to take the awning off so we are going to have to assess the situation.

It was already after noon when we arrived at the Dam so we decided to eat the picnic lunch I had prepared before checking out the Dam. 

 The table was situated on a hill.  Monte sat on the side that was sloped down.

After we ate we walked up the hill to get a better picture of the top of the Dam.

 Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938, Berlin Lake is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District. The project provides flood protection for the Mahoning River Valley was well as for the Beaver and Upper Ohio Rivers. Since its completion in 1943, Berlin has prevented flood damages estimated to be in excess of $1.7 billion. The project has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 6.9 inches of precipitation from its 249 square mile drainage area.

 

 

Next we drove over to the area of the Dam where fishing is allowed.  

 There were a couple of cars in the parking lot when we arrived.  Monte and I began walking down the trail leading to the water.  But it got too steep for me because I was wearing sandals so Monte continued on down while I went back to the Jeep to change into sneakers.

 

We noticed a couple of fishermen across the water. 

We couldn’t figure out how they got there.

When it began to drizzle we climbed up as fast as we could.  We knew it would be difficult to climb the dirt trail if it got wet.  Our timing was good because just after getting back to the Jeep it began to pour.

The rain let up in the early evening so I sat outside enjoying the beautiful sunset.