East Lynn Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Lynn Lake |
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View from the dam
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 East Lynn Lake
Location in West Virginia
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| Location | Wayne County, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°08′42″N 82°23′02″W / 38.14500°N 82.38389°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | East Fork Twelvepole Creek |
| Primary outflows | East Fork Twelvepole Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 12 mi (19 km) |
| Max. width | less than 0.25 mi (400 m) |
| Surface area | 1,005 acres (4 km2) |
| Shore length1 | 44 mi (71 km) at summer pool |
| Surface elevation | 662 ft (202 m) at summer pool 656 feet (200 m) at winter pool |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
East Lynn Lake is a large, man-made lake in Wayne County, West Virginia. It covers about 1,005 acres (4.07 square kilometers). This lake was created on the East Fork of Twelvepole Creek.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (a part of the U.S. Army that builds and manages public works) takes care of East Lynn Lake. They manage it to help control floods in the Ohio River area. It's also a great place for fun activities and to protect wildlife.
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History of East Lynn Lake
Why Was East Lynn Lake Built?
East Lynn Lake was first planned by the United States Congress (the lawmaking part of the U.S. government) in 1938. This happened after a very big flood in 1937 that caused a lot of damage. Even though it was planned early, building the lake didn't start until much later.
Construction began around 1969 and finished in 1970. The main reasons for building the lake were to control floods, offer places for people to have fun, and manage fish and other wildlife. The lake was officially named East Lynn Lake in 1971.
Changes Because of the Lake
Building East Lynn Lake changed the area quite a bit. The town of Stiltner, which was located near Brush Creek, was covered by the lake. This meant the town had to be moved or disappeared.
Also, a long part of West Virginia Route 37 had to be moved. This road used to follow the valley of the East Fork Twelvepole Creek, which became the lake.
East Lynn Lake Today
Fish and Wildlife at the Lake
East Lynn Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find 29 types of fish that naturally live in southern West Virginia here. There are also other fish, like carp, that were brought to the lake.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources regularly adds more fish to the lake. This group also manages the lake and the land around it as the East Lynn Lake Wildlife Management Area. This area helps protect animals and plants.
Fun Activities at East Lynn Lake
East Lynn Lake is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. Some parts of the lake allow boats to create a "wake" (the waves behind a boat), which is great for water skiing. Other parts are "no wake zones," meaning boats must go slowly. These quiet areas are perfect for fishing.
The Army Corps of Engineers has built several places for people to enjoy the lake. There is a campground where you can stay overnight. You can also find a marina near the dam, which is a place where boats can be docked.
