Summit Lake (West Virginia)
Encyclopedia
Summit Lake is a 43 acres (174,015 m²) cold water reservoir
located in Greenbrier County
, West Virginia
in the Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest
. The reservoir is formed by the impoundment of the waters of two forks of Coats Run, a small tributary of the North Fork of the Cherry River
. There have been attempts to rename the lake in honor of Carl E. Gainer, a politician from nearby Richwood
. These efforts, however, have had limited success with local residents and the United States Forest Service
.
In times of drought when the Cherry River becomes too shallow, the lake can be used to supply Richwood's municipal water system.
and bass
within its waters. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
also stocks the lake with trout
several times per year.
The area surrounding the lake includes a primitive 33-site campground and access to the Cranberry Backcountry. The Cranberry River
, a popular trout stream, can be accessed via a somewhat-steep two-mile (3 km) hike along Fisherman's Trail. There are several other hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty in proximity to Summit Lake, including one that circumnavigates the entire body of water. Some of these trails are used for cross-country skiing
during winter months.
Low-horsepower motor boats and row boats are permitted on the lake. Swimming is prohibited except during the annual Scenic Mountain Triathlon.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
located in Greenbrier County
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,453 people, 14,571 households, and 9,922 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile . There were 17,644 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
in the Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest
Monongahela National Forest
The Monongahela National Forest is a national forest located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, USA. It protects over of federally-owned land within a proclamation boundary that includes much of the Potomac Highlands Region and portions of 10 counties.The MNF includes some...
. The reservoir is formed by the impoundment of the waters of two forks of Coats Run, a small tributary of the North Fork of the Cherry River
Cherry River (West Virginia)
The Cherry River is a tributary of the Gauley River in southeastern West Virginia, USA. Via the Gauley, Kanawha and Ohio rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River. The Cherry River drains mostly rural and forested areas and flows for much of its length through the Monongahela...
. There have been attempts to rename the lake in honor of Carl E. Gainer, a politician from nearby Richwood
Richwood, West Virginia
Richwood is a city in Nicholas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,477 at the 2000 census. A former coal and lumber boom town, the city's population once flirted with 10,000 but the closure of many underground coal mines caused many of Richwood's residents to leave the state...
. These efforts, however, have had limited success with local residents and the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
.
In times of drought when the Cherry River becomes too shallow, the lake can be used to supply Richwood's municipal water system.
Recreation
The lake is popular among fisherman, as it has an abundant supply of panfishPanfish
A panfish, also spelled pan-fish or pan fish, is an edible game fish that usually doesn't outgrow the size of a frying pan. The term is also commonly used by anglers to refer to any small catch that will fit in a pan, but is large enough to be legal. However its definition and usage varies with...
and bass
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
within its waters. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is an agency of the government of the U.S. state of West Virginia. While formerly known as the cabinet-level Department of Natural Resources, it is now part of the West Virginia Department of Commerce...
also stocks the lake with trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
several times per year.
The area surrounding the lake includes a primitive 33-site campground and access to the Cranberry Backcountry. The Cranberry River
Cranberry River (West Virginia)
The Cranberry River is a tributary of the Gauley River located in southeastern West Virginia, USA. It is a part of the Mississippi River watershed, by way of the Gauley, Kanawha, and Ohio Rivers, draining an area of ....
, a popular trout stream, can be accessed via a somewhat-steep two-mile (3 km) hike along Fisherman's Trail. There are several other hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty in proximity to Summit Lake, including one that circumnavigates the entire body of water. Some of these trails are used for cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
during winter months.
Low-horsepower motor boats and row boats are permitted on the lake. Swimming is prohibited except during the annual Scenic Mountain Triathlon.