Lake Missaukee

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Lake Missaukee
Lake Missaukee (Michigan).jpg
View from Miltner Park in Lake City
Relief map of USA Michigan.png
Red pog.svg
Lake Missaukee
Location within the state of Michigan
Location Missaukee County, Michigan
Coordinates 44°19′23″N85°14′15″W / 44.32306°N 85.23750°W / 44.32306; -85.23750 Coordinates: 44°19′23″N85°14′15″W / 44.32306°N 85.23750°W / 44.32306; -85.23750
Type Glacial lake
Primary inflows groundwater and rainfall
Primary outflows Mosquito Creek to Clam River
Basin  countries United States
Surface area1,880 acres (760 ha)
Max. depth27 ft (8.2 m)
Surface elevation1,237 ft (377 m)
Settlements

Lake Missaukee is a freshwater lake located in Missaukee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. [1] The lake is mostly surrounded by Lake Township, while bordering Lake City to the east and a very small portion extending north into Caldwell Township.

Contents

Geology

Lake Missaukee is classified as a glacial lake, and it has its origins about 11,000 years ago at the end of the Last Glacial Period. [2] The lake has a surface area of approximately 1,880 acres (760 ha) and a maximum depth of 27 feet (8.2 m). Most of the lake has a depth of less than 15 feet (4.6 m). The lake has a surface elevation of 1,237 feet (377 m) and is close to several other lakes, including Crooked Lake and Sapphire Lake, as well as numerous smaller lakes. [3] [4]

It is the largest lake in Missaukee County and is considered part of the Muskegon River watershed. Because Lake Missaukee sits at a relatively high elevation, the lake has a very small watershed of only 1,775 acres (718 ha), which is smaller than the lake itself. The lake has no primary outflow, but water levels are controlled with drainage into the small Mosquito Creek. The creek eventually flows into the Clam River, which leads into the Muskegon River to Lake Michigan. [3]

Activities

The shores of the lake were first inhabited by European settlers as early as the late 1860s, and logging was a prominent industry until the early 1900s. The lake was used to float logs to the numerous sawmills and other factories surrounding the lake. None of these industries presently exist along the lake, although debris remnants of the past logging industry can still be found in the lake. [3]

Lake Missaukee is easily accessible, with the city of Lake City to the east. M-55/M-66 runs along the eastern coastline through Lake City. The larger city of Cadillac is located 15 minutes west. [5]

The lake serves as a recreational area for fishing, swimming, and boating, and there are numerous parks and beaches surrounding the lake. There are several public access boat launches, including one maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at the northern end of the lake at Missaukee County Park. [6]

Fishing

Popular among fishermen, common fish include bluegill, black crappie, brown bullhead, large and smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch. [4] [7] There are also rare sightings of common carp. [3] The Michigan Department of Natural Resources stocks walleye in the lake, and the numerous fish populations are routinely monitored. [8] [9] Lake Missaukee contains numerous listings on the state's Master Angler Entries, in which the largest recorded fish caught was a northern pike at 19.67 pounds (8.92 kg) and 40 inches (101.6 cm) long. [10] Invasive species within the lake include Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels. [3]

Related Research Articles

Walleye Species of fish

The walleye, also called the yellow pike or yellow pickerel, is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the Northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European zander, also known as the pikeperch. The walleye is sometimes called the yellow walleye to distinguish it from the blue walleye, which is a subspecies that was once found in the southern Ontario and Quebec regions, but is now presumed extinct. However, recent genetic analysis of a preserved (frozen) 'blue walleye' sample suggests that the blue and yellow walleye were simply phenotypes within the same species and do not merit separate taxonomic classification.

Muskegon River River in Michigan, United States

Muskegon River is a river in the western portion of the lower peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The river source is located at Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. The river passes through Clare County, Osceola County, Mecosta County, Newaygo County, and Muskegon County, and generally flows southwesterly to its mouth at Muskegon, Michigan, where it empties into Muskegon Lake. Muskegon Lake is connected to Lake Michigan via a mile-long channel. The river has several major branches, such as the Hersey River, Cedar Creek and Little Muskegon River. The primary river channel is 216 miles (348 km) long and drains an area of 2,350 square miles (6,100 km2). In September 2002, an article in National Geographic raised concerns about a controversial deal made with Nestlé Waters North America, giving them permission "to bottle up to 210 million gallons a year from an aquifer north of Grand Rapids, Michigan that recharges the Muskegon River".

Huron–Manistee National Forests National forest in Michigan, United States

The Huron–Manistee National Forests are two separate national forests, the Huron National Forest and the Manistee National Forest, combined in 1945 for administration purposes and which comprise 978,906 acres (3,960 km2) of public lands, including 5,786 acres (23 km2) of wetlands, extending across the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. The Huron–Manistee National Forests provide recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resources for local industry. The headquarters for the forests is in Cadillac, Michigan.

Grand River (Michigan) Tributary of Lake Michigan in southern Michigan

The Grand River is a river in the southwestern portion of the southern peninsula of Michigan, United States, that flows into Lake Michigan's southeastern shore. It is the longest river in Michigan, running 252 miles (406 km) from its headwaters in Hillsdale County on the southern border north to Lansing and west to its mouth on the Lake at Grand Haven.

Lake Winnebago Lake in Wisconsin

Lake Winnebago is a shallow freshwater lake in the north central United States, located in east central Wisconsin. At 137,700 acres it is the largest lake entirely within the state, covering an area of about 30 miles by 10 miles, with 88 miles of shoreline, an average depth of 15.5 feet, and a maximum depth of 21 feet. It has many shallow reefs along the west shore, and a drop-off type shoreline on the east. There are several islands along the west shore.

Okamanpeedan Lake, partially located in Martin County, Minnesota, and Emmet County, Iowa, is also known as Tuttle Lake. Okamanpeedan Lake is a roughly 2,300-acre (9.3 km²) riverine lake located on the East Fork of the Des Moines River. It has an average depth of about four to six feet. The lake has a contributing watershed of approximately 120,056 acres (486 km²) and watershed:lake ratio on the order of about 50:1. The lake is situated in a glacial till plain and is generally in an area dominated by loamy, poorly drained soils. The area is primarily level but does have some rolling hills.

Big Stone Lake Body of water

Big Stone Lake is a long, narrow freshwater lake and reservoir on the border between western Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota in the United States.

Seven Lakes State Park Park in Michigan, USA

Seven Lakes State Park is a public recreation area covering 1,434 acres (580 ha) one mile northwest of Holly in Holly Township, Oakland County, Michigan. The state park's 230 acres (93 ha) of water are found in six named lakes that include 170-acre Big Seven Lake, Little Seven Lake, and 44-acre Dickinson Lake.

Shawano Lake Body of water

Shawano Lake is a lake situated in Shawano County in northeastern Wisconsin. Shawano Lake is a hard water drainage lake with multiple inlets and one major outlet, the Wolf River. A dam on the Wolf River located in the City of Shawano raises the water levels of Shawano Lake. Shawano Lake is approximately 6,178 acres (25.00 km2), with an average depth of approximately 9 feet (2.7 m) and a maximum depth of approximately 42 feet (13 m). The shoreline length is estimated at 18 miles (29 km). The Towns of Wescott, and Washington, and the Village of Cecil border Shawano Lake.

Lake Hudson State Recreation Area

Lake Hudson State Recreation Area is a public recreation area located within southwestern Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. With its main entrance located along M-156, it is mostly located within Hudson Township and a very small portion extending south into neighboring Medina Township.

Manistique Lake Body of water

Manistique Lake, locally called Big Manistique Lake to distinguish it from the other lakes in the Manistique Lakes system, is a 10,130-acre (4,100 ha) lake in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long and 4 miles (6.4 km) wide, it is one of the largest lakes in the Upper Peninsula. Elevated 686 feet (209 m) above sea level and 105 feet (32 m) above Lake Michigan, Manistique Lake drains into the larger lake through a marshy outlet on the west end of the lake that forms one source of the Manistique River. Relatively shallow, the lake's deepest point is only 20 feet (6.1 m) below the water surface. The average depth is 10 feet (3.0 m).

There are three Manistique Lakes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The lakes include North Manistique Lake, Big Manistique Lake, and South Manistique Lake. The towns surrounding the lakes are Curtis, Germfask, and Helmer. The lakes are known for vacationing and fishing. They are also in close proximity to other natural sights such as the Great Lakes, rivers, and smaller lakes as well as tourist attractions including the Canada–US border, the Soo Locks, Mackinac Island, parks, and museums.

Lake Border Moraine

The Lake Border Moraine is a complex group of moraines bordering the southern end of Lake Michigan. It can be traced north along the eastern shore of the lake basin and across the highlands between the northern Lake Michigan and Saginaw Bay. It continues around the Saginaw Basin into the "thumb" of Michigan, and south through southeastern Michigan on the eastern side of the "thumb." Along Lake Michigan, north to Holland the system is close to the shore. From Holland north to Oceana County it is 15 miles (24 km) to 25 miles (40 km) east of the shore. In Oceana County it forms the prominent "clay banks" along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It again bears inland from Hart, where more recent moraines reside between it and Lake Michigan. It runs north of the great interlobate moraine that exists between the Lake Michigan and Saginaw lobes of the Laurentian ice sheet. A little north of Cadillac turns to the east. A short distance from Cadillac, it splits with the southern ridge or outer member heading to the Saginaw basin. The northern ridge heads towards Lake Huron, but turns south before reaching the shore. In Newaygo and Lake counties it rest on an earlier interlobate moraine. It separates in Wexford and Missaukee counties to continue south along the west side of the Saginaw basin.

Reedsburg Dam Dam in Missaukee County, Michigan

The Reedsburg Dam is a non-hydroelectric barrage dam crossing the Muskegon River in eastern Missaukee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located in rural Enterprise Township, the dam was constructed in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps to alleviate flooding from Houghton Lake, which is the source of the Muskegon River approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) upstream.

Muskallonge Lake Lake in Luce County, Michigan, United States

Muskallonge Lake is a 780-acre (320 ha) lake in Luce County in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Approximately 1.9 miles (3,100 m) long and .8 miles (1,300 m) wide, it is separated from Lake Superior to the north by a quarter-mile-wide strip of land that is the site of Muskallonge Lake State Park. Relatively shallow, the lake's deepest point is 20 feet (6.1 m) below the water surface. The lake sits at 630 feet (190 m) above sea level, thirty feet (9.1 m) above Lake Superior.

Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area Protected wildlife area in Michigan, United States

The Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area is a protected wildlife area located in the U.S. state of Michigan. The wildlife management area centers along the Muskegon River about 2 miles (3.2 km) from its source at Houghton Lake. It incorporates rural areas in Enterprise Township within Missaukee County and Lake Township within Roscommon County for an approximate total area of 1,024 acres (4.14 km2). It is controlled and maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Cut River (Roscommon County, Michigan) River in Michigan, United States

The Cut River is a stream located entirely within Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river begins at Higgins Lake and meanders to Houghton Lake at a length of approximately 10 miles (16 km). It also passes through the small Marl Lake within South Higgins Lake State Park near its source.

Ford Lake (Michigan) Body of water

Ford Lake is a fresh water artificial reservoir located in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The lake was created from the construction of Ford Lake Dam along the Huron River in the early 1930s. The lake is named after business magnate Henry Ford.

Flat Rock Dam (Michigan) Dam in Flat Rock, Michigan

The Flat Rock Dam is a decommissioned hydroelectric gravity dam crossing the Huron River. It is located in the city of Flat Rock in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The dam was built by the Ford Motor Company in 1924 for hydroelectricity for the nearby Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory, which remained in operation until 1950.

Geddes Dam Dam in Ann Arbor Township, Michigan

The Geddes Dam is a decommissioned hydroelectric barrage dam crossing the Huron River. It is located in Ann Arbor Township in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It was built by the Detroit Edison Company in 1919 for hydroelectricity before being decommissioned in 1959. The dam is currently owned by the nearby city of Ann Arbor. The surrounding area is used for recreational purposes, including Gallup Park, which is Ann Arbor's most popular recreational area.

References

  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Missaukee
  2. Smith, Jeff (February 4, 2015). "Iconic Outdoor Attraction: Lake Missaukee" . Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Tonello, Mark (2018). "Lake Missaukee, Missaukee County" (PDF). Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Lake-Link Inc. (2020). "Missaukee Lake" . Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  5. Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau (2020). "Lake Missaukee" . Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  6. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2020). "Michigan's Recreational Boating Information System (MRBIS): Boating Access Site Detail (Missaukee County Park)" . Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  7. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2020). "Lake Missaukee" . Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  8. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2020). "Fish Stocking Database: Lake Missaukee" . Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  9. "DNR conducts fish surveys on Lake Missaukee". Cadillac News. May 19, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  10. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2020). "Master Angler Entries: Lake Missaukee" . Retrieved July 31, 2020.