Ringgold county is home to three lakes, all managed by different entities.
Two of the three lakes were constructed in Mount Ayr, with the purpose of providing a source of drinking water to the community. Neither lake provides drinking water presently, but they do offer area recreation and enjoyment.
While boating and fishing is allowed at all three, swimming is not.
Liberty Lake
The 40-acre site of the first lake northeast of Mount Ayr, was purchased from A. I. Smith in 1913. Created by constructing a dam and several wells, it has historically been called “the old lake” but was recently renamed Liberty Lake.
Des Moines Bridge and Iron Company was contracted on December 4 and the pump house, most of the dam, and at least one well were completed by April 14, 1914.
A water tower was also constructed in the spring of 1914. Water lines were then run from the dam site to the water tower and throughout town.
The new municipal water system was up and running by the end of July. Water from shallow wells was pumped to a small pond and then went through a form of cistern or filtration basin. From there water went through mains to the water tower.
Beginning July 22, 1914, pumps filled water mains with 40,000 gallons of water and the water tower.
Sediment was an issue the first few years of operation. By 1916 the town was considering more elaborate filtration plans to help purify drinking water.
Both 1934 and 1936 were recorded as bad drought years and the city reservoir (lake) was reduced to little more than “a mud puddle” according to an April 28, 1938 Record-News article.
New wells were dug in Walnut Creek as a temporary solution, but daily consumption of 60,000 to 70,000 gallons a day put a strain on the system.
Liberty Lake – original Master Plan
The city reservoir was then given to the Ringgold County Conservation Board on September 1, 2018 by request. It was then renamed “Liberty Lake” and re-purposed as a recreation area.
A Fish Habitat Grant was obtained to make lake improvements, update the east shelter house and make road and habitat improvements.
Three rental cabins and a shower house with restrooms were constructed recently. RV camping spots will be added in the future.
Liberty Lake is currently managed and maintained by the Ringgold County Conservation Board. For more information about camping or reservations, see their website.
Loch Ayr Lake
A new lake, located a mile north of Mount Ayr, was constructed in 1939 after a $40,000 bond election in January 1939 was approved 681-69. The city purchased 64 acres of land from Bankers Life and gained another 170 acres through condemnation to construct the new lake.
Work on the 1,280-foot long, 32-foot high dam, spillway and pump house began in February.
By July, 1939 water from the “new” lake was being pumped to the “old” lake for distribution throughout the city.
Encompassing roughly 95-99 acres, the new lake provided a nearly 300 million gallon water supply for the city. The total cost to the city was $36,805, with the remainder of the $64,711 project being furnished by federal funds.
The name “Loch Ayr” was chosen as part of a contest sponsored by the Record-News.
New water supply lines and a larger pump from Loch Ayr to the old lake were installed in May of 1959, and the water treatment system was updated in 1960.
In the end, neither lake was able to keep up with the growing needs of the community. Mount Ayr now purchases water from Creston Water Supply.
Loch Ayr is a public lake, however both the west and east side of the lake is split into 61 lots that are rented annually by area residents. No permanent structures are to be built on a lot, but some structures were grandfathered in.
While Loch Ayr is a city owned lake, upkeep, maintenance and enforcement of lake rules is part of a three-year maintenance contract with the Ringgold County Sportsman’s Club.
The most recent contract, dated April 17, 2023, states the City of Mount Ayr pays the Sportsman’s Club $24,000 (or an amount not to exceed actual lot rental receipts) annually, for all upkeep, maintenance and expenses connected with Loch Ayr.
The agreement includes all common areas such as shelter houses, docks and unrented lots. Enforcement of the adopted rules and regulations for Loch Ayr Lake is also contracted to The Sportsman’s Club through April of 2025.
No swimming is allowed at the lake and camping is also prohibited in any portion of a park or a shelter house.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), also has a 28-E agreement with the City of Mount Ayr to help maintain the lake.
Boat rules and regulations are governed by the Department of Natural Resources Commission.
In the summer of 1941, the State of Iowa completed construction of five fish rearing ponds just south of the Loch Ayr dam. Fish rearing at the Mount Ayr Fish Hatchery begins in early May each year and then fingerlings are sent on to stock southwest and south central Iowa lakes, including the Coralville Reservoir and Rathbun Reservoir.
Park Rules and Regulations can be found on the city website, under ordinances.
Contact Mount Ayr City Hall at 641-464-2402 for more information about Loch Ayr Lake.
Fogle Lake
In the northwest portion of the city limits of Diagonal, Marlin E. Fogle Recreation Area offers year-round enjoyment. No reservations are taken for 45 camping sites, as campsites are available year-round on a first come, first serve basis. A dump station, water/electric hookups, picnic tables, grill and a fire ring are at each graveled campsite.
In addition, five rental cabins are available. Each cabin has a covered deck, fire ring, grill and picnic table. Campers must bring their own linens and kitchen supplies.
Accessible restroom facilities are available, and the bath/shower house is open year-round.
Additional amenities at Fogle Lake S.W.A. include trails, a picnic area, two small playground areas, sand volleyball and basketball court, a hard surface boat ramp for boat access, a fishing jetty, good shorefishing, and a fish cleaning station.
In the spring of 2023, DNR electrofishing indicated good numbers of Largemouth Bass up to 20 inches. Bluegill up to 8.5 inches and Crappie up to 10 inches are available to anglers. Channel Catfish were sampled in low abundance, however, large Catfish are available to anglers as the largest Catfish sampled was over 13 lbs. Fish were last stocked by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on September 8, 2021. A total of 200 Channel Catfish (8.1) were released. The lake is also home to Redear Sunfish, Walleye and Yellow Perch.
While the lake is owned by the City of Diagonal, a five-member Fogle Lake Board operates under the city, to help take care of mowing and upkeep of the recreation area. No swimming is allowed at the lake, and it is also a no wake lake.
More information about Fogle Lake can be obtained by calling the City of Diagonal at 641-734-5491.