User:SWMO Fishin/sandbox

= Valley Water Mill Lake = Valley Water Mill Lake is a 13 acre lake located just north of Springfield Missouri. It is managed under a joint operation between the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks and the Missouri Conservation department. The lake is spring fed and has secchi dish readings of over 4ft.

Recreation
The lake located in Valley water Mill Park. The park has hiking trails, a conference center, and a picnic area. The lake has 2 fishing docks as well as bank access. Boating and swimming is not allowed. Fishing is allowed and common fish species that are present are largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish, and black crappie.

History
The original dam at Valley Water Mill was built in the 1850s to hold water for the operation of McCracken Mill a local grist mill. In 1957 the lake and land that became the park were purchased by the springfield green county parks dept. In 2008 the lake and dam were re-constructed giving the lake a maximum depth of 14 feet.

Refrences
http://www.watershedcommittee.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/lake-history-and-characteristics.pdf

https://fishing.mdc.mo.gov/reports/valley-water-mill-lake