East Okoboji Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Okoboji Lake |
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Location | Dickinson County, Iowa |
Coordinates | 43°24′17″N 095°04′31″W / 43.40472°N 95.07528°W |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 1,835 acres (743 ha) |
Average depth | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
Max. depth | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
Settlements | Spirit Lake, Okoboji |
East Okoboji Lake is a natural lake in Iowa, USA. It's about 1,835 acres big. You can find it in Dickinson County in the northwest part of the state. It's one of the beautiful lakes in the Iowa Great Lakes area. Long ago, the Santee Dakota Sioux people lived here. They called the lake Okoboozhy. This name means 'reeds and rushes' in their language.
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Exploring East Okoboji Lake's Past
The towns of Spirit Lake and Okoboji are located along the western side of the lake. These towns were first settled by European-Americans in the 1800s. They became well-known after a difficult event in 1857. During a very cold winter with lots of snow, a group of Sioux people attacked the settlements. They were suffering from hunger and needed food. This was the last attack by Native Americans on settlers in Iowa.
How East Okoboji Lake Was Formed
Like its nearby lakes, East Okoboji Lake was created by glaciers. It's a type of lake called a glacial pothole. This means it formed about 13,000 years ago during the last ice age.
The lake is not very deep. Its average depth is about 10 feet (3 meters). The deepest part is about 22 feet (7 meters). In the summer, the lake can sometimes separate into layers. It can also have a lot of algae growing in it.
Fishing Fun at the Lake
East Okoboji Lake is a popular spot for fishing. Many people come here to catch fish. It's especially known for its bullheads.
East Okoboji Lake in Pop Culture
This lake was featured in an episode of the TV show The X-Files. The episode was called "The Conduit." Even though the story was set at Lake Okoboji, it was actually filmed in British Columbia. Another lake, Buntzen Lake, was used as the filming location.