Hardy Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hardy Lake |
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Hardy Lake picnic area with boats visible on the lake
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 Hardy Lake
Location in Indiana
Hardy Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Scott / Jefferson counties, Indiana, United States |
| Coordinates | 38°47′28″N 085°42′57″W / 38.79111°N 85.71583°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Quick's Creek |
| Primary outflows | Quick's Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 741 acres (3.0 km2) |
Hardy Lake, first called Quick Creek Reservoir, is a state-owned lake in Indiana. It is located in Scott and Jefferson counties. You can find it about 6 kilometers (4 miles) east of Austin, Indiana. It is also about 56 kilometers (35 miles) north of Louisville, Kentucky.
Hardy Lake is the smallest state-run lake in Indiana. The entire property covers about 991 hectares (2,448 acres). The lake itself has a surface area of about 300 hectares (741 acres). The deepest part of the lake is around 12 meters (38 feet).
This lake is surrounded by other important natural areas. To the north, you'll find the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. Clifty Falls State Park is to the east. These nearby places make Hardy Lake a great spot for nature lovers.
Building Hardy Lake: A Water Source
Hardy Lake was built in 1970. Workers created the lake by building a dam across Quick's Creek. The main reason for building it was to give nearby towns in Scott County a steady supply of water. Unlike many other lakes, Hardy Lake's water level stays very stable.
The dam that holds back the water is an earth-filled dam. This means it is made mostly of packed dirt and rock. It is about 16 meters (52 feet) tall and 115 meters (376 feet) wide. The water for the lake comes from a drainage area of about 31 square kilometers (12 square miles). Today, the lake is a backup water source for the Stucker Fork Conservancy District. Their main water comes from the East Fork of the Muscatatuck River.
When Hardy Lake was finished, Indiana's governor, Otis R. Bowen, was very proud. He wanted every person in Indiana to have a state park close enough to visit. Hardy Lake is part of a larger system of lakes built in Indiana during the 1960s and 1970s. These projects were a team effort between the state of Indiana and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Fun Activities at Hardy Lake
Hardy Lake offers many fun things to do outdoors. You can go fishing or hunting during certain times of the year. The lake is full of different kinds of fish. These include bluegill, catfish, black crappie, and largemouth bass. You might also find redear sunfish and tiger muskie.
For hunters, there are animals like deer and turkey. You can also find quail, snipe, and woodchuck. The lake is a great place for boating, with four public ramps to launch your boat.
The park is also home to many birds. Some birds you might see are the red-necked grebe and the mute swan. You could also spot a snow goose or a black vulture. Red-shouldered hawks are special visitors. They build their nests around the lake from early spring to mid-summer.
Exploring the Park
The park around Hardy Lake has both simple and modern camping spots. There is also a public swimming beach where you can cool off. You will find bathhouses and hiking trails too. This makes it a very popular place for camping trips.
The park has some unique features to explore. There is the McClain Cemetery, which is very old and dates back to the 18th century. You can also see a large mound built by Allegheny mound ants. Sometimes, you might even spot foxfire, which is glowing fungi. There is even a special trail just for practicing your archery skills.
