Lake Centralia facts for kids
Lake Centralia is a special kind of lake, called a reservoir, located in Marion County, Illinois. It's not a natural lake, but one that was built by people! This reservoir is about 8 miles (13 km) east of the city of Centralia.
About Lake Centralia
Lake Centralia is quite large, covering 412 acres of water. Imagine 412 football fields – that's a lot of space! Its shoreline stretches for 12.9 miles, which is great for exploring. The lake is usually about 10 feet deep on average.
The city of Centralia owns Lake Centralia. They use it to supply fresh water to homes and businesses in the area. It's like a giant drinking water tank for the city!
Fishing Fun
If you love to fish, Lake Centralia is a great spot! The city works with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to make sure there are plenty of fish. They regularly add fish to the lake, which is called "stocking."
You can catch many different kinds of fish here, including:
- Largemouth bass
- Channel catfish
- White and black crappies
- Bluegill
The lake has a marina on its north side, which is a place where boats can dock. The best part is, you can fish from a boat anywhere on the lake – there are no special rules against it!
How Lake Centralia Was Made
Lake Centralia was created a long time ago, in 1910. Workers built a dam across a small stream that flowed into Crooked Creek. This dam held back the water, forming the large reservoir we see today. Crooked Creek eventually flows into the Kaskaskia River.
Most of the lake is in a place called Raccoon Township, with a small part in Salem Township. These names, like Raccoon Township and Raccoon Creek, remind us that this area used to be a big wetland many years ago.
You can easily get to Lake Centralia by taking Exit 116 on Interstate 57 in Salem Township.
