Bde Maka Ska facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bde Maka Ska
Lake Calhoun
Boats on the lake in 2017
Bde Maka Ska Location in Minneapolis–Saint Paul
Location	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Coordinates	44°56′30″N 93°18′45″W / 44.94167°N 93.31250°W / 44.94167; -93.31250
Native name	Bdé Makhá Ská  (Dakota)
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	401 acres (1.62 km2)
Average depth	82 ft (25 m)
Max. depth	87 ft (27 m)
Water volume	0.0405 cubic kilometres (0.0097 cu mi)

Bde Maka Ska is the largest lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It used to be known as Lake Calhoun. This beautiful lake is part of the city's famous Chain of Lakes.

The lake is surrounded by city parks. It has popular bike and walking trails. Many people enjoy outdoor activities here. Bde Maka Ska covers about 401 acres (1.62 km²) of water. It is also quite deep, reaching 87 feet (27 m) at its deepest point.

Exploring Bde Maka Ska and its Parks

The lake (center) from above

Bde Maka Ska is a key part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. This scenic route connects it to other nearby lakes. You can easily reach Lake of the Isles to the northeast. Cedar Lake and Brownie Lake are to the northwest. Lake Harriet is to the south.

Trails for Fun and Fitness

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has built great trails around the lake. There's a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) trail for bikes and skaters. Another 3.2-mile (5.1 km) trail is just for walkers. Both trails connect to the larger city trail system. You can easily go from Bde Maka Ska to Lake of the Isles or Lake Harriet. The Midtown Greenway Trail is also close by, just north of the lake.

Water Sports and Beaches

Bde Maka Ska is a popular spot for water activities. People love to go canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing here. The lake also has three public swimming beaches.

The three beaches are:

• North Beach, on the north side of the lake.
• 32nd Beach, located on the east side.
• Thomas Beach, found on the south side.

People enjoying the lake around 1917

The park areas around Bde Maka Ska offer many things to do. You can find parking, picnic spots, and places to play volleyball. There are also athletic fields for various sports. The lake is a big center for sailing. It hosts the Calhoun Yacht Club and the Minneapolis Sailing Center. High school teams and the University of St. Thomas Sailing Team also practice here.

History and Special Places

An old photo of the lake by Benjamin Franklin Upton

From 1829 to 1839, a Dakota farming village was located here. It was called Ḣeyate Otuŋwe. A special plaque on the east side of the lake remembers this village. It also marks where Samuel and Gideon Pond built a mission station. They created the first alphabet for the Dakota language there. In 2019, the Bde Maka Ska Public Art Project was finished at the village site.

On the west side of the lake, you'll find The Bakken. This is an old mansion that now has medicinal gardens. It also has a library and museum all about medical electricity and the history of electromagnetism. You can also ride the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line between Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet.

Why the Name Changed

The lake in 1908, sometimes called "Lake Mendoza"

The lake has had a few different names over time.

Original Dakota Names

The Dakota people originally called the lake Mde Maka Ska. This name means Lake White Earth or Lake White Bank. It was likely named by the Ioway who lived in the area long ago. Another Dakota name for the lake might have been Mde Med'oza. Early settlers sometimes used this name, calling it Lake Medoza or Loon Lake. The Dakota also called it Heyate Mde, which means "the set back lake."

The Name "Lake Calhoun"

The lake was named "Lake Calhoun" in honor of John C. Calhoun. He was the United States Secretary of War. In 1817, he sent the Army to survey the area around Fort Snelling. He also approved building Fort Snelling, which was one of the first American settlements in Minnesota. A map from 1839 shows the lake with the name "Lake Calhoun."

The Minneapolis skyline and refectory building reflected in the lake in 2017

Changing Back to Bde Maka Ska

In 2017, the Minneapolis Park Board decided to recommend changing the lake's name back to Bde Maka Ska. The Hennepin County commissioners agreed with this idea. In January 2018, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officially made Bde Maka Ska the name in Minnesota. To make the change official across the whole country, the state sent information to the United States Board on Geographic Names. This board approved the name change in June 2018. Now, all park signs around the lake use only the name Bde Maka Ska.

Wildlife in the Lake

The lake covered with ice and snow in December

Bde Maka Ska is home to many types of fish. You can find black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, and common carp. Other fish include hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and pumpkinseed. You might also catch tiger muskellunge, walleye, white sucker, and yellow perch.

Sometimes, there are special warnings about eating certain fish from the lake. This is because of small amounts of mercury and other chemicals. However, the lake is still a great place for fishing. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation website says it's one of the best places in the city for ice fishing. People often catch walleye, northern pike, and crappies here in winter.

In 1991, a very large tiger muskellunge was caught in the lake. It weighed 33 pounds 8 ounces (15.2 kg), setting a state record at the time!

Unfortunately, in 2018, Zebra mussels were found in the lake. These are an invasive species, meaning they are not native to the area and can harm the lake's ecosystem.

See also

In Spanish: Lago Calhoun para niños