Horseshoe Lake (Madison County, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Horseshoe Lake |
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 Horseshoe Lake
Location in Illinois
Horseshoe Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Madison County, Illinois, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 38°41′58″N 090°05′06″W / 38.69944°N 90.08500°W |
| Type | Oxbow lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,400 acres (970 ha) |
| Max. depth | 54.5 ft (16.6 m) |
| Surface elevation | 403 ft (123 m) |
| Settlements | Madison, Granite City |
Horseshoe Lake is a special natural lake in Illinois, USA. It's known as a National Natural Landmark, which means it's a very important natural place. This lake is located near St. Louis and covers about 2,400 acres. It's the second-largest natural lake in Illinois, right after the huge Lake Michigan.
Horseshoe Lake is an oxbow lake. This type of lake forms when a river, like the Mississippi River, changes its path over time. A bend in the river gets cut off, leaving behind a curved lake that looks a bit like a horseshoe. The lake is about 403 feet (123 meters) above sea level. A large area around the lake is part of Horseshoe Lake State Park, which is a great place for outdoor activities. The towns of Madison and Granite City are right next to the lake.
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What Makes Horseshoe Lake Special?
Horseshoe Lake is mostly shallow, usually about three feet (1 meter) deep. However, there is one very deep spot. This part of the lake is about 54.5 feet (16 meters) deep. It became so deep because sand was dug out from there many years ago.
Amazing Birds at the Lake
Horseshoe Lake is a fantastic place for birds! Each year, parts of the lake are drained on purpose. This helps create a perfect home for shorebirds. Over 287 different kinds of birds have been seen here. This includes almost every type of bird found in Illinois.
Many Canada geese spend the winter at Horseshoe Lake. You might also spot majestic bald eagles flying overhead. Other common birds include the mallard duck, the beautiful snowy egret, and the little blue heron. A special bird called the Eurasian tree sparrow is also found here, and it's mostly seen only in this part of North America.
Fish You Can Find
The lake is home to many different kinds of fish. If you like fishing, you might catch a bluegill or a sunfish. There are also interesting fish like the shortnose gar and the spotted gar. Other popular fish include crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.
The Lake and Industry
The western side of Horseshoe Lake has some industrial areas. One of the main facilities there is the Granite City Works, which belongs to the United States Steel Corporation.
