Dale Maffitt Reservoir

Residents of Maffitt Ridge enjoy the benefits of a great neighbor: Dale Maffitt Reservoir and Park. Located immediately south of the development, the park consists of a 200-acre lake and a total of nearly 1,500 acres of property owned and managed by the Des Moines Water Works.

​

Maffitt Reservoir is open to the public for fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Several public docks extend nearly 20 feet into the lake. Generations of nature lovers and anglers have enjoyed the serenity of the lake, which is home to ducks, geese, river otter and a multitude of fish species.

​

For hikers, there’s a 4.5-mile trail around the lake that offers frequent scenic overlooks. There’s also a bridle trail for horseback riding enthusiasts.

​

The reservoir was constructed in 1941-1945 as an additional raw water supply for the Des Moines Water Works, a regional public utility governed by a board of trustees appointed by the mayor of Des Moines. To further enhance the reservoir’s high water quality, Des Moines Water Works purchased land surrounding the reservoir for watershed protection.

​

Learn more about Maffitt Reservoir Park here.