| Deam Lake State Recreation Area | |
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 Deam Lake State Recreation Area in 2012 | |
  Location of Deam Lake State Recreation Area in Indiana Show map of Indiana Deam Lake State Recreation Area (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Clark County, Indiana, United States |
| Coordinates | 38°28′10″N85°51′35″W / 38.46944°N 85.85972°W /38.46944; -85.85972[1] |
| Area | 1,300 acres (5.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 535 ft (163 m)[1] |
| Established | 1965[2] |
| Named for | Charles C. Deam |
| Governing body | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Deam Lake State Recreation Area |
Deam Lake State Recreation Area is an Indiana State Recreation Area inClark County,Indiana in the United States. The park is 1,300 acres (530 ha) and sits at an elevation of 535 feet (163 m).[1] Deam Lake State Recreation area is open for year-round recreation, however the campground closes each year from the Sunday before Thanksgiving to March 1 of the following year. Much of the recreation is centered onDeam Lake. It is named forCharles C. Deam, the first stateforester of Indiana.[2][3]
Deam Lake State Recreation Area is adjacent toClark State Forest. Deam Lake and the park facilities were constructed during the 1960s, opening in 1965. The park operates under a "multiple use concept." Recreational activities at the park includehiking,fishing,hunting,swimming,boating,camping,picnicking and horseback riding.[2]
Deam Lake is a 194 acres (79 ha)man-made lake. It was built in 1965. The lake is used forflood control, as areservoir and for recreational purposes. It is onBig Run which is a tributary of theMuddy Fork River which is part of theOhio River system.[4] The lake is impounded byDeam Lake Dam which is anearthen dam that is 59 feet (18 m) high and 1,200 feet (370 m) long.[4] Deam Lake is open for fishing, swimming and boating. Boats are limited to electric motors.Kayaks,canoes and other human powered boats are permitted.Jet-skis are not allowed in the lake.[5] The beach at Deam Lake is open from 8:00am tosunset,Memorial Day throughLabor Day.[2] Lifeguards are not provided. There is a beach house and concessionaire that provides snacks and boat rentals.[5]
Deam Lake State Recreation Area features two separate camping facilities. The "regular campground" has 116 campsites that include picnic tables, electric hookups, a fire ring, and parking pad. Access to a dump station for RVs and shower facilities is available. Additionally, the park has 68 "horse campground" sites. The horse campground is equipped with stalls and provides access to a network of trails within the park and the adjacent Clark State Forest.[2]
The park is home to four hiking trails and serves as a trailhead for the 80-mile (130 km)Knobstone Trail which is the longest hiking trail in Indiana.[2][5]
Environmental Education opportunities are provided at Deam Lake State Recreation Area. An education center is managed by a seasonalnaturalist. The naturalist hosts a variety of educational sessions throughout the year.[2] Afishing derby for children is led by the naturalist as is adigital camerascavenger hunt, a tree identification program, a group hike on Trail 4 to Lookout Rock and several other nature activities.[6]
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