July 3, 2006

COLUMBUS, OH – The 112-mile Muskingum River will become Ohio’s second designated water trail during ceremonies scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 8 at Malta Park in Morgan County.

Staff of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), as well as officials from Morgan, Muskingum, Washington and Coshocton counties, will participate in the designation ceremony. The designation will coincide with the Muskingum Riverfest, an annual celebration of boating, music and folk arts on the river.

The Ohio Water Trails initiative serves to increase accessibility to rivers and streams for Ohio’s paddlesport and boating enthusiasts through proper design and siting of launch ramps and up-to-date navigational information. The Kokosing State Scenic River was designated Ohio’s first water trail last year.

The Muskingum River flows through four counties and some of Ohio’s most beautiful natural scenery. It remains an important link to the state’s heritage, with its 10 hand-operated wooden locks, developed in the early 1800s, still in service today. The unique lock and dam system has been designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.