Lake Kanagga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Kanagga |
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 Lake Kanagga
Location in Illinois
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| Location | Effingham County, Illinois, United States |
| Coordinates | 39°06′34″N 88°34′35″W / 39.10944°N 88.57639°W |
Lake Kanagga was a small lake, about 20 acres in size. It was located in Effingham County, Illinois, in the United States. This lake was created a long time ago for a special purpose.
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The Lake's Beginning
Lake Kanagga was built to provide water for steam locomotive trains. These trains needed a lot of water to create steam and move along the tracks. Later, the lake became a popular spot for fun activities. People even built homes right next to its shores.
Where the Name Came From
The lake was first called Lake Knagge. It was named after John Knagge, who sold the land to the Vandalia Railroad Company. After the land was sold, the name was changed to Lake Kanagga. This new name was easier to say and spell.
Why the Lake Disappeared
Over time, Lake Kanagga was used less and less. This happened especially after Lake Sara was built in 1957. Lake Sara was a much larger and newer lake nearby.
The Lake Fills In
By the 1960s, Lake Kanagga started to have problems. It began to fill up with sediment, which is like mud and dirt washing into the lake. This made the lake shallower. Because of this, the homes and docks near the lake were taken down.
From Lake to Land
In the 1990s, a big change happened. Lake Kanagga was completely drained of its water. Then, the empty lakebed was filled in with dirt. The land was sold to the city of Effingham, Illinois. Today, the area where Lake Kanagga once was is just empty land.
