French Farm Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids French Farm Lake |
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| Location | Emmet County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 614: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 802 acres (3.25 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 602 feet (183 m) |
French Farm Lake is a beautiful lake located in Wawatam Township in Emmet County, Michigan. It covers about 802 acres, which is a large area of water to explore! You can find it about 2.7 miles southwest of Mackinaw City, Michigan.
This lake is special because it is the most northern lake in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. People can visit French Farm Lake by following the North Country Trail from Mackinaw City. You can also get there using local dirt roads.
Contents
Exploring French Farm Lake's Nature
French Farm Lake is a shallow lake, typical of the North Woods region. Parts of the lake are surrounded by wetlands. Wetlands are areas where the land is covered by water, like swamps or marshes. They are very important for nature.
Forests and Wildlife
The area around French Farm Lake is part of the Mackinaw State Forest. A long time ago, in the late 1800s, many trees were cut down here for timber. After the trees were harvested, the land became public property again.
The French Farm Lake State Flooding Wildlife Management Area is a special part of the State Forest. It covers about 2,948 acres. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (M-DNR) owns and manages this land. They help protect the wildlife and natural habitats.
Fishing and Birdwatching
The M-DNR also keeps an earthen boat ramp near the northern end of the lake. This is a place where people can launch their boats. Many people enjoy fishing here. You might catch fish like bass and pike.
The wetlands around the lake are perfect places for birds to raise their young. You can often see mallards and wood ducks breeding in these areas. It's a great spot for birdwatching!
The Lake's Interesting Name
The name "French Farm Lake" has a cool story behind it. It might come from a farm that was on the lakeshore a very long time ago. This farm was active in the 1700s, during the frontier days.
Historical Discoveries
This old farmstead provided food to Fort Michilimackinac. Fort Michilimackinac was an important fort back then. In 1981 and 1982, archaeologists dug up the site of this farm. They found many interesting things from the past. Their discoveries helped us learn more about what life was like at the farm. They even published a book about their findings!
