Ferguson+and+Metzger+Reservoirs

Also, see Metzger/Ferguson Reservoirs Important Bird Area and Allen County Birding Drive
 * =Birding in Ohio=

Allen County
=Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs= 3212 Reservoir Road Lima, Ohio 45801 Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs webpage Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs map

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Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs
Coordinates: 40.7401038, -84.0445518 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Tips for birding Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs
From Ohio Ornithology Society website Metzger Reservoir (167 acres) and the adjoining Ferguson Reservoir (305 acres) are fast becoming the prime location for easily viewable waterfowl and other semi-aquatic specialties in Allen County. Both reservoirs are walkable around their lengthy perimeters, but it is the causeway between the two that affords optimal viewing of all surface waters with the use of a spotting scope. Metzger Reservoir, the smaller northwestern reservoir, for unknown reasons attracts far more waterfowl than the larger Ferguson Reservoir. Metzger Reservoir has become the Ruddy Duck capital in this region of the state and is among the top sites in all of interior Ohio. During October and November, flocks of 400 to 600 birds are typical, and up to 1,000 birds have been counted in some years. Spring and fall also bring the occasional scoter (all three species have been sighted, though Surf Scoter is the most frequent) or Long-tailed Duck, and Snow Buntings seem to have site fidelity for the causeway in November. Other rarities have included Purple Sandpiper (twice), Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Merlin, Short-eared Owl, and Bald Eagle. The remains of a Saw-whet Owl were once found on the causeway. From Ohio Ornithology Society website

About Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs
The Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs are located on Reservoir Road which is on the east side of Lima. It can be reached from I-75 by taking Exit 127 at OH-81 and heading east. Turn right on Rousch Road and head south to Reservoir Road. Turn left and head east approximately 1.5 miles to the reservoir entrance.

Ferguson and Metzger reservoirs are upground reservoirs. Upground reservoirs are constructed by building high dikes on a relatively flat terrain to hold water. They are pump storage reservoirs. Water is pumped in from the Ottawa River at times of high flow and stored in these reservoirs until needed by the city of Lima.

Metzger Reservoir was built in 1946 by the city of Lima as a municipal water supply. It has a surface area of 154 acres and a capacity of 1.2 billion gallons. The bottom is relatively flat with depths ranging from 18 to 33 feet.

Ferguson Reservoir was built in 1958 to expand the city of Lima’s municipal water supply. It has a surface area of 305 acres and a capacity of 2.2 billion gallons. Depths range from 3 to 33 feet. A large bed of cattails is present along the shallow east shoreline. From Ferguson Reservoir webpage

Canada Goose Photo by Andrew Weiss



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media type="custom" key="27745313" || L809871 US US-OH US-OH-003 40.7401038 -84.0445518 Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs