Dow Lake
Ecosystem Overview
The Dow Lake ecosystem supports 86 documented wildlife species across 70 taxonomic genera. Located in athens county, ohio, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 18 frequently observed species and 17 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Athens nearby has 14% more documented species, Dow Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 4 athens county County natural areas, placing it in the 25th percentile for biodiversity.
Biodiversity Highlights
Species Distribution
Regional Context
Most Common Species
Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 86 total documented species.
Mergus merganser
goosander
Podilymbus podiceps
Pied-billed grebe
Aix sponsa
wood duck
Erythemis simplicicollis
Eastern Pondhawk
Ischnura posita
Fragile Forktail
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Bald Eagle
Butorides virescens
green heron
Tringa solitaria
Solitary Sandpiper
Setophaga tigrina
Cape May Warbler
Setophaga castanea
Bay-breasted Warbler
Aythya collaris
Ring-necked Duck
Nerodia sipedon
Northern Water Snake
Actitis macularius
spotted sandpiper
Pandion haliaetus
osprey
Bucephala albeola
Bufflehead
Chrysemys picta
Eastern Painted Turtle
Gavia immer
great northern loon
Apalone spinifera
spiny softshell turtle
Perithemis tenera
Eastern Amberwing
Bombus impatiens
Common Eastern Bumblebee
Want the Complete Field Guide?
Get all 86 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.
Get Your Personalized Field Guide
Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Dow Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.
Get Your Personalized Field Guide
Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Dow Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.
Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.
Nearby Wildlife Areas in Athens County
Discover 8 other wildlife-rich locations near Dow Lake. Each offers unique biodiversity and wildlife viewing opportunities.
🌿 Premier Wildlife Areas (2 nearby)
🌱 Specialized Habitats (1 nearby)
📍 Explore These Areas (5 nearby)
Regional Wildlife Network
These nearby locations complement Dow Lakewithin Athens County's wildlife network. Species counts reflect documented observations and help identify the most biodiverse areas for your nature explorations.