Frentress Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frentress Lake |
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 Frentress Lake
Location in Illinois
Frentress Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jo Daviess County |
| Coordinates | 42°27′48″N 90°36′39″W / 42.4633379°N 90.6109613°W |
| Primary inflows | Mississippi River |
| Primary outflows | Mississippi River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Max. width | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) |
| Surface area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Average depth | 5–20 ft (1.5–6.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Surface elevation | 591 ft (180 m) |
Frentress Lake is a special kind of lake located in Jo Daviess County, in the northern part of Illinois. It sits on the eastern side of the famous Mississippi River, near the town of East Dubuque. This lake is known as a "backwater" lake, which means it's connected to a larger river but isn't part of its main channel.
Contents
What is a Backwater Lake?
A backwater lake like Frentress Lake is formed when a river's main flow changes over time. It's often a quiet area that used to be part of the river itself. These lakes are still connected to the main river, usually by a small channel. This connection allows water to flow in and out, especially when the river levels change.
Connection to the Mississippi River
Frentress Lake gets its water from the Mississippi River. It also drains back into the Mississippi River. This means the lake's water levels can go up and down with the river. Being connected to such a large river makes Frentress Lake an interesting place for different kinds of plants and animals.
Size and Location
Frentress Lake is not a huge lake, but it's a significant feature in its area. It stretches about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long. The lake is also about 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) wide.
How Big is Frentress Lake?
The total area of Frentress Lake is around 160 acres (65 hectares). To give you an idea, one acre is about the size of a football field. So, Frentress Lake is like 160 football fields put together!
Lake Depth
The depth of Frentress Lake can vary quite a bit. In most places, it's between 5 and 20 feet (1.5 to 6 meters deep). However, some parts of the lake are much deeper. The deepest spot in Frentress Lake goes down to about 46 feet (14 meters).
Historical Events
Like many lakes connected to large rivers, Frentress Lake can sometimes experience high water levels. For example, in April 2011, homes located around Frentress Lake saw some flooding. This happens when the Mississippi River rises very high, causing the backwater lake to overflow its banks.
