Carlyle Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carlyle Lake |
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Carlyle Lake over the Coles Creek Recreation Area
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 Carlyle Lake
Location in Illinois
Carlyle Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Clinton / Fayette / Bond counties, Illinois, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 38°37′8.18″N 89°21′10.28″W / 38.6189389°N 89.3528556°W (Dam) |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Kaskaskia River, North Fork |
| Primary outflows | Kaskaskia River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 15 miles (24.1 km) |
| Max. width | 3.5 miles (5.6 km) |
| Surface area | 26,000 acres (105.2 km2) |
| Average depth | 11 feet (3.4 m) |
| Max. depth | 35 feet (10.7 m) |
| Shore length1 | 85 miles (136.8 km) |
| Surface elevation | 445 feet (135.6 m) |
| Settlements | Carlyle, Keyesport |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Carlyle Lake is a huge man-made lake in Illinois, United States. It covers about 25,000 acres, making it the largest lake entirely within the state. Most of the lake is in Clinton County, with smaller parts in Bond and Fayette counties. It's a popular spot for outdoor fun and plays a big role in managing water for the area.
Contents
Building Carlyle Lake: A Big Project
Why Carlyle Lake Was Needed
For many years, the Kaskaskia River often flooded, causing problems for local communities. To solve this, people in Clinton County started talking about a plan in 1933. They wanted to study the river and find ways to control its floods. This led to the idea of building a large reservoir at Carlyle.
In 1938, the government approved a plan to build a major reservoir and other flood control measures. However, World War II put these plans on hold for a while.
How the Lake Was Built
A local resident, Eldon E. Hazlet, became a strong supporter of the Kaskaskia River project. He helped create the Kaskaskia Valley Association (KVA) to get public support. In 1957, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed a full plan. The project, including Carlyle Lake, was officially approved by Congress in 1958.
Construction of Carlyle Lake began on October 18, 1958. The government bought a lot of land for the lake and its surrounding areas. This meant moving homes, roads, and even a railroad. Five bridges were built to carry the railroad tracks across the water, dividing the lake into two parts. To protect the lake from pollution, old oil wells in the area were safely sealed. Also, some old cemeteries were carefully moved to new, higher ground.
The Carlyle Lake project was finished in April 1967. The Carlyle Lake Dam was officially opened on June 3, 1967. This dam, located 107 miles from the mouth of the Kaskaskia River, created Illinois's largest man-made lake.
Fun and Purpose: Carlyle Lake Today
Carlyle Lake is a busy place with many uses. Its main job is to help manage floods. This means it can hold extra water during heavy rains to protect towns downstream. The lake also provides water for communities, helps keep the water clean, and supports many types of fish and wildlife.
Activities at the Lake
The lake is surrounded by several recreation areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, like Dam West and Coles Creek. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also manages the Eldon Hazlet State Park and the Carlyle Lake Wildlife Management Area.
Carlyle Lake offers lots of outdoor fun!
- There are five developed campgrounds with over 300 campsites for families and friends.
- You can enjoy sandy beaches for swimming and relaxing.
- Many boat ramps make it easy to launch your boat, especially for sailing, which is very popular here.
- Fishing is a favorite activity, with people catching channel catfish, flatheads, largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Protecting Our Environment
Beyond recreation, Carlyle Lake is important for the environment. It helps maintain good water quality and provides a home for various fish and wildlife. The lake's design, including the railroad embankment and bridges, helps manage the water flow and supports the local ecosystem.
Exploring Carlyle Lake's Beaches
Carlyle Lake has several great beaches where you can swim and relax.
Keyesport Beach: Fun on the Northwest Shore
Keyesport Beach is located on the northwest side of Carlyle Lake. It's one of the larger beaches and is next to the Keyesport Boat Ramp. You'll find public restrooms, a small playground, and shaded picnic tables nearby. The beach is close to the town of Keyesport, which has restaurants.
Dam West Beach: The Biggest Spot to Swim
Dam West Beach is the largest public beach on Carlyle Lake. It's part of the Dam West Recreation Area. This beach offers a big sandy area perfect for swimming and sunbathing. There's a picnic area with restrooms, tables, and large trees for shade. It's also a short walk from the Carlyle Dam, a popular spot for walking, biking, and watching wildlife. This beach is near the city of Carlyle, the largest town by the lake.
McNair Beach: A Smaller Spot Near the Dam
McNair Beach is another public beach close to the Carlyle Dam. It's smaller than Dam West Beach and is next to the McNair Campground. Picnic tables are available in this area for a nice outdoor meal.
Coles Creek Beach: East Side Adventures
Coles Creek Beach is on the quieter east side of Carlyle Lake. It's next to the Coles Creek Campground, which has picnic tables and restrooms, and the Coles Creek Boat Ramp. This beach is a bit smaller, offering a more peaceful experience.
See also
- Carlyle Lake Resort, Saskatchewan
