City of Columbus. The reservoir was constructed by damming Big Walnut Creek between Smothers Road and Central College Road and flooding the surrounding low lands. Construction began in 1953. While a dedication was held in 1955, the official opening did not occur until 1958. Numerous roads were re-routed or severed in order to construct the reservoir, including; Maxtown Road, Sunbury Road, Big Walnut Road, Oxbow Road, and Yankee Street. While swimming within the reservoir is prohibited, recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and sailing are permitted with public landings and fishing areas provided at several locations around the perimeter of the reservoir. Geography Located in the southeastern part of Delaware County, Genoa Township is part of the central Ohio region which is anchored by Columbus. The commute from Genoa Township to the job and entertainment center of downtown Columbus is less than twenty miles. Nearby shopping destinations Polaris Fashion Place (<5 miles), Tanger Outlet Mall (<8 miles), and Easton Town Center (<10 miles) are easily accessible from Genoa Township. Genoa Township borders the following townships and city: City of Westerville - southwest The City of Columbus owns the land encompassing Hoover Reservoir within Genoa Township preserving open space at Hoover Meadows and Mud Hen Marsh. Orange Township - west Berkshire Township - north Harlem Township - east Plain Township, Franklin County - southeast corner Trenton Township - northeast corner Blendon Township, Franklin County - south Berlin Township - northwest corner The Highland Lakes and Medallion golf course communities constitute a significant portion of the largely developed southern portion of the township. The northern half of Genoa Township is still generally rural, but beginning to be developed as well. Genoa Township is one of the fastest growing areas near Columbus. A majority of the southern portion of the Township from the Delaware County border with Franklin County northward to Maxtown Road were annexed by the City of Westerville decades ago. Demographics 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 23,090 people living in the township. The population density was . There were 8,046 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 89.3% White, 4.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. In 2016 the zip codes that encompass Genoa Township