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Jersey City Flowage facts for kids

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Jersey City Flowage
JerseyCityDam.JPG
Jersey City Dam with flowage seen through the gate opening
Location of Jersey City Flowage in Wisconsin, USA.
Location of Jersey City Flowage in Wisconsin, USA.
Jersey City Flowage
Location in Wisconsin
Location of Jersey City Flowage in Wisconsin, USA.
Location of Jersey City Flowage in Wisconsin, USA.
Jersey City Flowage
Location in the United States
Location Lincoln County, Wisconsin
Coordinates 45°29′30″N 89°45′01″W / 45.491636°N 89.750139°W / 45.491636; -89.750139
Type reservoir
Basin countries United States
Surface area 423 acres (171 ha)
Max. depth 20 ft (6.1 m)
Water volume 1,794 acre⋅ft (2,213,000 m3)
Shore length1 13.4 mi (21.6 km)
Surface elevation 1,437 ft (438 m)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The Jersey City Flowage is a cool artificial lake in Wisconsin. It's built on the Tomahawk River, which is a branch of the bigger Wisconsin River. This lake is near the town of Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

What is a Flowage?

A "flowage" is another name for a reservoir or an artificial lake. It's created when people build a dam across a river. The dam holds back the water, causing it to spread out and form a lake.

How Dams Create Lakes

Dams are like big walls built across a river. They stop the water from flowing freely. This makes the water collect behind the dam, forming a large body of water. This new lake is called a flowage or reservoir.

Why We Build Dams

People build dams for many reasons. They can help control floods by holding back extra water during heavy rains. Dams can also store water for drinking or for farms. Sometimes, dams are used to make electricity.

History of Jersey City Flowage

The Jersey City Flowage was created a long time ago. The dam that formed it was built in 1910. That's over 100 years ago!

Original Purpose of the Dam

When the dam was first built, its main job was to provide power. It helped run a tannery, which was a factory that processed animal hides into leather. The flowing water from the river turned machines to create energy for the factory.

Who Manages the Flowage Now?

Today, the dam and the flowage are managed by the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company. This company helps control the water levels. They make sure the river and its flowages are used wisely.

Location and Size

The Jersey City Flowage is located in Lincoln County, Wisconsin. It's about one mile upstream from where the Tomahawk River joins the Wisconsin River.

How Big is the Flowage?

The flowage covers an area of about 423 acres. That's like more than 300 football fields! It has a shoreline that stretches for about 13.4 miles. The deepest part of the lake is about 20 feet.

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