Lake Kristi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Kristi |
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 Lake Kristi
Location in North Carolina
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 Lake Kristi
Location in North Carolina
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| Location | Greenville, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°33′40″N 77°14′20″W / 35.5610°N 77.2390°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Etymology | Kristi Overton Johnson |
| Catchment area | 289 sq mi (750 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
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Lake Kristi is a special place in Greenville, North Carolina, made up of two man-made lakes. It's famous for water skiing and is named after a champion water skier, Kristi Overton Johnson. Even though it was built for water skiing, the area around Lake Kristi is also a popular spot for cross country running events.
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About Lake Kristi: A Unique Sports Venue
Lake Kristi is not just one lake, but two! Both lakes were built to be perfect for water skiing competitions. They are known for being championship-level courses.
How the Lakes Were Built
The first Lake Kristi was finished in 1981. It is about 1,950 feet (590 m) long and between 210–300 feet (64–91 m) wide. The second lake was added later, in the year 2000. This second lake is about 1,850 feet (560 m) long and 210 feet (64 m) wide.
Where You Can Find Lake Kristi
Lake Kristi is located about eight miles from Greenville. It was built right in the backyard of Parker Overton, Kristi Overton Johnson's father. He built it for Kristi when she was only 12 years old. At that time, the closest place to water ski was a river more than an hour away. So, her dad created this amazing lake just for her!
What Happens at Lake Kristi
The land around Lake Kristi is about 300 acres (120 ha) big. This large area is mostly used for big cross country running events. Many important races have been held here.
Major Sporting Events Hosted Here
Lake Kristi has hosted several major running championships. These include the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regional Championships in 2003 and 2005. It also hosted the Conference USA Championship in 2001 and 2006.
The lake itself has also been a host for top water skiing events. It held the U.S. Open Water Ski Championships in both 1996 and 1997. Lake Kristi was also the first place in Greenville to host a Pro Tour water skiing event as part of the U.S. Open. In 1989, Lake Kristi was recognized as one of over 150 "supersites" for water skiing in the United States. Only three of these special sites were in North Carolina!
Besides tournaments, Lake Kristi was also used as a testing site for Overton's marine business. This means new boats and equipment could be tried out right there on the water.
