Lake George (Anoka County, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake George |
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 Lake George
Location in Minnesota
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| Location | Oak Grove, Anoka County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 45°21′25″N 093°20′10″W / 45.35694°N 93.33611°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 495 acres (2.00 km2) |
| Max. depth | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Lake George | |
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| Lake George Statistics | |
| Littoral Area | 391 Acres |
| Diameter | 1 mile |
| Water Clarity | 13.75 ft (4.19 m) |
Lake George is a small and pretty lake in Anoka County, Minnesota. It's located inside the city of Oak Grove. You can find it about 12 miles north of the city of Anoka.
The lake is mostly round, with two marshy areas around Greenwald Island on its southern side. Lake George Regional Park covers a lot of the northern shore. This park has places for picnics, a boat launch, and a big swimming beach.
People enjoy Lake George all year round. In summer, you can go water skiing, fishing, and canoeing. In winter, it's popular for ice fishing and snowmobiling. Most of the lake's edge has homes, except for a few empty spots and a wet area in the southeast.
The areas around the lake have fun names like:
- Paradise Alley
- Beaver Shores
- Lake George Regional Park
- Cattail Oak
- Shady Oak
- South Bay
- Greenwald Island
- Indian Ridge Road
Contents
Lake George: A Look Back in Time
Lake George was formed about 12,000 years ago. This happened after a huge sheet of ice, called the Laurentide Ice Sheet, melted away. A large glacial lake, Lake Anoka, also drained at that time.
The first stories about the lake come from a Native American battle in 1845. This battle happened after a peace meeting at Fort Snelling. The Ojibwe people were heading home, and the Lakota discovered that an Ojibwe group had taken a Lakota woman.
The Lakota chased the Ojibwe to their camp on the south shore of Lake George. A battle started and lasted for three days. It was a very significant event in the area's history.
In 1847, government surveyors came to map the area. They marked the boundaries and even noted where Native American burial mounds were. The lake was named after George Arbuckle, who was the main surveyor. The first official maps of Lake George and Greenwald Island were made in 1848.
Summer Fun and Resorts
After people started settling in the area, Lake George became a popular spot for city dwellers. They came looking for summer fun. By the early 1900s, many small cabins were built. Before World War I, a few resorts also opened up.
Vacationers first arrived by train at a station in Cedar. Later, they came by car. Some of the main resorts on the lake were Hopper’s, Yost's, Tillbergs, Day’s, and Fleet’s Inn. Fleet’s Inn was near where the county beach is today.
Who Was Greenwald Island Named After?
Greenwald Island is named after Aaron Greenwald. He was born in 1832 and later moved to Anoka. There, he worked as a miller in a flour mill. Aaron and his wife, Ann, had two sons, William and Louis. Aaron might have been one of the first people to join the Union Army during the Civil War.
In the late 1930s, the Lake George Conservation Club was started. Most people living by the lake back then only stayed during the summer. In the 1970s, more people began living there all year. The club's activities slowed down. But in 1981, a new rule about boat engines brought everyone together again. The club was restarted to protect the lake.
In January 2004, the two marshy areas were dug out to create a channel. This helped boats move around more easily.
Lake George: Nature and Wildlife
Lake George has very clear water. In 2004, the water was clear enough to see about 10.5 feet down in summer. About 80% of the lake, or 391 acres, is considered "littoral." This means it's less than 15 feet deep.
Because the water is so clear, plants can grow even deeper in the lake. The deepest part of the lake is 32 feet, and the average depth is 5 feet. Lake George is oval-shaped with two channels dug out on the south side. Most of the lake has a sandy bottom, but some areas have soft, muddy sediments. The shoreline is 4.5 miles long.
Lake George Regional Park, an Anoka County park, is on the north side of the lake. This is where the public can access the lake. Scientists have found 28 different kinds of aquatic plants living in the lake.
Fish You Can Find in Lake George
Lake George is a great place for fishing! Here are some of the sport fish found there:
- Walleye: These fish were first added to the lake in 2001. They are a good size for anglers in the area.
- Northern Pike: There are many Northern Pike in the lake. They are usually an average size, but you can find some bigger ones too.
- Largemouth Bass: You'll find an average number of Largemouth Bass, including some really big ones!
- Bluegill: There are lots of Bluegill, and they are usually an average size.
- Crappie: Like Bluegill, there are many Crappie, and they are typically an average size.
Understanding Milfoil: An Invasive Plant
Eurasian watermilfoil, also known as Myriophyllum spicatum, was first found in Lake George in 1998. By 2006, this plant was forming thick mats in many parts of the lake. These mats can harm the native plants and make it harder to use the lake for fun activities. It's an "invasive exotic species," meaning it's not from here and can spread quickly.
Another non-native plant found in Lake George is curly-leaf pondweed. This plant was found in eight different spots. Because Lake George has very clear water, milfoil can spread to deeper areas. Clear water lets more sunlight reach deeper, helping plants grow even where it's usually too dark.
Working Together for Lake George
In 2009, the city of Oak Grove created a "Lake Improvement District" (LID). This happened because many property owners asked for it. The LID helps the Lake George Conservation Club in its efforts to keep the lake clear of invasive weeds. A special board was chosen in March 2009 to start this important work.
Nearby Towns and Cities
Lake George is located within the city of Oak Grove. Other towns and cities close by include:
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