Army Corps of Engineers marks Mosquito Lake anniversary

BAZETTA -- To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Mosquito Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is building a replica of the agency's logo at the lake.

A castle just outside the corps' office on Warren Meadville Road is under construction. When it's done, the permanent structure will be 14 feet tall, 12 feet wide and weigh about 30 tons, said Bill Spring, resource manager for the corps.

It's a way for the corps to show off its brand and let people know about what it does. Visitors to the lake will be able to see the structure, but aren't allowed inside.

"There will be a door on it, but it will be small. It's where a time capsule is going to be placed," Spring said.

The time capsule will celebrate the 75 years of the lake and will include biographies of past and present employees. In addition, the corps has invited its partners to share items that are significant to the impact of the lake.

"We have several -- at least 100 -- original photos from the construction of the actual dam itself," Spring said.

Spring also said the corps is opening it up to the public to put items in the capsule. If people want to put something in the capsule, it needs to have a significant importance to the lake and the area.

If anyone is interested in donating an item, call Spring at 330-637-1961.

According to the corps' website, the lake, authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938, is one of 16 flood-control projects in the corps' Pittsburgh District. It provides flood protection for the Mahoning River Valley, as well as the Beaver and upper Ohio Rivers.

It was completed in 1944. Since then, it's estimated the lake has prevented flood damages of more than $418 million.

The lake also stores water and releases it downstream during dry periods to improve water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, recreation, aesthetics and aquatic life, the website states.

It cost just more than $4 million to build.

The corps is holding a 75th anniversary celebration 9 a.m. to noon June 15 with guided dam tours 9 to 10 a.m. and a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a tree planting dedication and the time capsule dedication plus information booths.

Cortland Mayor Jim Woofter said the lake is important to Cortland's economy. Visitors, he said, are "people are coming into Cortland to purchase food and visit restaurants."