Gull Lake (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gull Lake |
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 Gull Lake
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Kalamazoo / Barry counties, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°23′59″N 85°24′41″W / 42.3998°N 85.4114°W |
| Primary outflows | Gull Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,030 acres (8 km2) |
| Max. depth | 110 ft (34 m) |
| Surface elevation | 879 feet (268 m) |
| Islands | 3 |
| Settlements | Gull Lake |
Gull Lake is a beautiful lake located in the state of Michigan, United States. Most of the lake is in Kalamazoo County. A small part of its northern tip reaches into Barry County.
The big cities nearby are Kalamazoo, about 11 miles (18 km) to the southwest, and Battle Creek, about 13 miles (21 km) to the southeast. People think the lake got its name from the many seagulls that sometimes fly inland from Lake Michigan.
Gull Lake covers a large area of 2,030 acres (8 km2). It is also quite deep, reaching a maximum depth of 110 feet (34 m). The lake has many spots that are deeper than 75 feet (23 m). There is one large island located at the south end of the lake.
The shoreline of Gull Lake is fully developed. This means it is surrounded by many homes and cottages. The lake is very popular for boating during the warm summer months. It can get quite busy with many boats on the water.
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A Look Back: Gull Lake's History
The area around Gull Lake started to be settled in the 1830s. This was especially true for the rich farmland known as Gull Prairie. The native Potawatomi people lived here before that time. Most of them moved west after the 1821 Treaty of Chicago. However, some Potawatomi people stayed in the area into the 1830s.
The main settlement on Gull Lake was a town called Yorkville. It was located right where the lake's water flowed out. In the past, Yorkville had a few small businesses. One interesting business made a breakfast cereal that tasted like celery!
How Gull Lake Became a Popular Getaway
Long ago, a special train line called an interurban connected Gull Lake to nearby cities. These cities were Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Because of this, Gull Lake became a favorite summer spot. Wealthy families loved to visit for their holidays.
Some famous families who came here included the Upjohns, who made medicines. The Shakespeares, who made fishing gear, also visited. Both of these families were from Kalamazoo. The Kelloggs, famous for breakfast cereals, came from Battle Creek.
Over time, more and more people decided to live at Gull Lake all year round. They replaced the smaller summer cottages with permanent homes. This led to some problems with the lake's water quality. But things got much better after a large sewer system was put in place in the early 1980s. Tiny creatures called zebra mussels also helped clean the water. They are non-native, but they filter the water as they eat.
Fun Things to Do at Gull Lake
Gull Lake is known for its clear waters. This makes it a great place for scuba diving. Divers love to explore the lake's depths. Many interesting objects have been placed in the lake for divers to discover.
Underwater Adventures for Divers
Divers can swim through and look at many cool things underwater. These include:
- a phone booth
- a motorcycle
- a car
- an ice shanty (a small hut used for ice fishing)
- a swing set
- railroad tracks
- two boats
Divers can visit the lake all year long. Many even go diving in the winter. They dive even when the lake's surface has frozen over!
Sailing and Boating on the Lake
Gull Lake is big enough to have its own yacht club. A yacht club is a group for people who love to sail boats. They often have sailboat races on weekends. Even larger sailboats, like Starboats and small cruising sailboats, can race safely on the lake.
Fish You Can Find in Gull Lake
Gull Lake is a great place for fishing. Many different kinds of fish live here. Some of the fish that people like to catch include:
Other common fish species in the lake are:
