Cowan Lake (Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cowan Lake |
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| Cowan Creek Reservoir | |
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 Cowan Lake
Location in Ohio
Cowan Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cowan Lake State Park, Clinton County, Ohio |
| Coordinates | 39°23′19″N 83°55′29″W / 39.38861°N 83.92472°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Cowan Creek |
| Primary outflows | Cowan Creek |
| Catchment area | 32,640 acres (13,210 ha) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 692 acres (280 ha) |
| Max. depth | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Surface elevation | 965 feet (294 m) |
| Islands | 1 (Austin Island) |
Cowan Lake, also known as Cowan Creek Reservoir, is a cool lake located in Cowan Lake State Park in Clinton County, Ohio, United States. It's a pretty big lake, covering about 692 acres (280 ha) of water!
This lake is special because it sits near something called the Cincinnati Arch. This arch is an ancient uplift of rock that happened when the Appalachian Mountains were forming. Over time, the rock in this area wore away, showing off limestone that's full of amazing fossils. In fact, the areas around Cowan Lake are known worldwide for being great places to find fossils!
What is Cowan Lake?
Cowan Lake isn't a natural lake. It's actually a type of lake called a reservoir. This means it was made by people. The lake was created in 1950 when a dam was built across a stream called Cowan Creek.
How Cowan Creek Got Its Name
The creek that feeds the lake, Cowan Creek, was named after an early explorer. His name was John Cowan, and he was the very first person to survey, or map out, this area. The creek starts far away at 39°24′12″N 83°41′18″W / 39.40333°N 83.68833°W before flowing into the lake.
Cowan Lake State Park
The lake is a big part of Cowan Lake State Park. This park includes the lake itself and all the land right around it. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities like boating, fishing, and camping. The park was officially opened and dedicated in 1968, giving people a wonderful place to enjoy nature.
Fun with Fossils
Because Cowan Lake is near the Cincinnati Arch, the rocks around it are very old and full of history. When the arch's rock wore away, it showed limestone layers. These layers are like a time capsule, holding fossils from ancient sea creatures. If you visit the area, you might even find some cool fossils yourself!
