Lake Inman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Inman |
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 Lake Inman
Location in Kansas
Lake Inman
Location in the United States
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| Location | McPherson County, Kansas |
| Coordinates | 38°14′50″N 97°43′09″W / 38.24722°N 97.71917°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Settlements | Inman, Groveland |
Lake Inman is a cool, natural lake located in McPherson County, Kansas, in the United States. You can find it about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) northeast of the city of Inman. Even though it's small, covering about 0.25 square miles (0.6 square kilometers), it's actually the biggest natural lake in all of Kansas!
Lake Inman is named after a famous frontiersman and writer named Henry Inman. He wrote a lot about fishing, and his articles even helped create new laws in Kansas! Lake Inman is also a key part of the McPherson Valley Wetlands. These wetlands are like a super important rest stop for many different kinds of waterfowl (birds that live near water) that are migrating, meaning they're flying long distances.
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What Makes Lake Inman Unique?
Lake Inman stands out because it is the largest natural lake in Kansas. Many other lakes in the state are man-made, meaning they were created by building dams. Lake Inman formed naturally over time, which makes it very special.
Location and Size
This lake is situated in the central part of Kansas. It's not far from the small city of Inman. The lake's surface area is about one-quarter of a square mile. This might sound small compared to huge lakes, but for a natural lake in Kansas, it's quite large!
Named After a Pioneer
The lake received its name from Henry Inman. He was an interesting person who lived in the American West during the 1800s. He was known as a frontiersman, which means he explored and lived in wild, undeveloped areas. Henry Inman was also a talented author. He wrote many articles, especially about fishing. His writings were so popular and influential that they helped shape new laws in Kansas related to fishing and conservation.
Importance to Wildlife
Lake Inman is a very important place for many animals, especially birds. It is part of a larger area called the McPherson Valley Wetlands.
The McPherson Valley Wetlands
The McPherson Valley Wetlands are a group of connected wetland areas. Wetlands are places where the land is covered by water, either permanently or seasonally. They are like giant sponges that help filter water and provide homes for many plants and animals.
A Stop for Migrating Birds
These wetlands, including Lake Inman, are crucial for migratory birds. These are birds that fly long distances, often thousands of miles, between their breeding grounds and their winter homes. They need safe places to rest, find food, and drink water along their journey. Lake Inman and the surrounding wetlands offer exactly that. Many different types of waterfowl, like ducks, geese, and cranes, use this area as a vital stopover point during their migrations.
