Georgetown Lake (Montana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Georgetown Lake |
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Georgetown Lake from western shore
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 Georgetown Lake
Location in Montana
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| Location | Granite County & Deer Lodge County, Montana, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°11′09″N 113°17′28″W / 46.18583°N 113.29111°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | North Fork Flint Creek |
| Primary outflows | Flint Creek |
| Built | 1885; 1901; 1919 |
| Surface area | 2,818.1 acres (1,140.4 ha) |
| Average depth | 16 feet (4.9 m) |
| Shore length1 | 17.36 mi (27.94 km) |
| Surface elevation | 6,337 feet (1,932 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Georgetown Lake is a large reservoir in Montana, covering about 2,818 acres. It is located in Deer Lodge and Granite Counties. The lake sits high up at an elevation of 6,337 feet, just west of the Anaconda Range. It was created by building a dam across the North Fork of Flint Creek. Today, Georgetown Lake is a very popular spot for outdoor fun. Many people visit its 17.36-mile shoreline for camping, picnics, and relaxing at resorts.
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History of Georgetown Lake
How the Lake Was Formed
Georgetown Lake was first created in 1885. Its main purpose was to generate electricity for the town of Philipsburg and the many mining operations in the area.
In 1900, the Granite-Bimetallic Mining Company finished building the Georgetown Dam and its powerhouse. By 1906, this powerhouse was sending electricity to a large metal factory in Anaconda. A few years later, in 1909, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company bought the dam and powerhouse.
Later, in 1912, the Montana Power Company took over the job of making electricity. The powerhouse kept running until 1990. At that time, Montana Power stopped using the facility and sold the dam to Granite County.
How Georgetown Lake Got Its Name
The lake got its name, Georgetown, because the dam flooded an area once known as Georgetown Flats. This area used to be a busy mining camp. A man named George Cameron started a type of mining called placer mining there in 1867. By 1886, most of the people living in the Georgetown camp had moved away from the flats.
Fishing at Georgetown Lake
Georgetown Lake is famous for its excellent fishing. It is known as a "Blue Ribbon fishery," which means it's one of the best places to fish. The lake is home to large, trophy-sized rainbow and brook trout. Many anglers come here hoping to catch these big fish.
