Apple Valley Lake is a planned development created by American Paper Company. Construction began in 1970 and the lake was full in 1972. Of the total 3, 770 acres in the development, 511 are under water forming a lake 3 1/4 miles long with 9.5 miles of shoreline.

All the lots have been sold and approximately 2449 homes have been built on the over 6,600 lots. Prices of homes vary from $80,000 to more than $750,000. Lakefront homes begin at $250,000 and come in all sizes, shapes and descriptions. Most lakefront lots are already developed, however, a few lots are available beginning at $230,000, lake access lots in Coves and Canals begin at $75,000. Many excellent building lots are available.

It is said that Apple Valley Lake is the cleanest lake in Ohio. There are two reasons for this. First, every lot has county sewer and water available. No home is connected to a septic tank and therefore there is no leaching into the lake. Secondly, the lake is deep. At the dam the depth is over 65 feet, most of the lake runs about 50 feet deep in the middle and the average depth is 35 feet over all.