Blue Mountain Lake (Arkansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Mountain Lake |
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Lake as viewed from an overlook
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 Blue Mountain Lake
Location in Arkansas
Blue Mountain Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Logan / Yell counties, Arkansas, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°06′05″N 93°42′04″W / 35.101372°N 93.70101°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Petit Jean River |
| Primary outflows | Petit Jean River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 413 ft (126 m) |
Blue Mountain Lake is a beautiful reservoir (which is like a big, artificial lake) located in Arkansas, United States. It's found in the central-west part of Arkansas, nestled between the tall Mount Magazine and the Ouachita Mountains. This lake was created by the United States Army Corps of Engineers on the Petit Jean River. It has about 50 miles of shoreline, which is a lot of space to explore!
How Blue Mountain Lake Was Made
Blue Mountain Lake was created thanks to the Blue Mountain Dam. This dam was built in 1947. It's a huge structure, about 115 feet tall and 2800 feet long. Think of it as a very long, tall wall made of earth!
The dam holds back the water of the Petit Jean River. This creates the large lake we see today. The lake covers about 4.5 square miles of land. Both the dam and the lake are managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. They are a government group that helps manage many of America's waterways.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Blue Mountain Lake is a great place for outdoor adventures! There are many activities you can enjoy here:
- Fishing: The lake is known for its good fishing. You can try to catch different kinds of fish.
- Boating: With 50 miles of shoreline, there's plenty of space for boating. You can enjoy a relaxing ride on the water.
- Swimming: On a warm day, the lake is perfect for a swim. It's a refreshing way to cool down.
- Camping: You can also go camping near the lake. Imagine sleeping under the stars!
The lake is also a major part of the view from the top of Mount Magazine. This mountain is home to Mount Magazine State Park. From the park's lodge, you can see the sparkling waters of Blue Mountain Lake below.
Getting to Blue Mountain Lake
It's easy to get to Blue Mountain Lake. If you are coming from Havana, Arkansas, you can take Arkansas Highway 10. Then, turn south onto Arkansas Highway 309.
The main place to enter the lake area is called Waveland Park. There are also other smaller access points. These include Lick Creek and Ashley Creek.
