Lake Onalaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Onalaska |
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Lake Onalaska, WI
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 Lake Onalaska
Location in Wisconsin
Lake Onalaska
Location in the United States
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| Location | La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°52′01″N 091°18′26″W / 43.86694°N 91.30722°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Mississippi River |
| Primary outflows | Mississippi River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 4 mi (6.4 km) |
| Max. width | 3.75 mi (6.04 km) |
| Surface area | 7,688 acres (3,111 ha) |
| Max. depth | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Surface elevation | 633 ft (193 m) |
| Settlements | Onalaska |
Lake Onalaska is a large reservoir located where the Black River meets the Mississippi River. It sits between Wisconsin and Minnesota. This lake is about 4 miles (6.4 km) wide. It is actually the widest part of the entire Mississippi River!
You can find Lake Onalaska in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. It covers an area of 7,688 acres (31.11 km²). The city of Onalaska borders the lake, and the lake gets its name from this city. Lake Onalaska is 633 feet (193 m) above sea level. At its deepest point, the lake is 43 feet (13 m) deep.
History of Lake Onalaska
The story of Onalaska began in 1851. Two men, Thomas G. Rowe and John C. Laird, planned out the village. Rowe chose the name "Onalaska" from a poem. The poem was called "The Pleasures of Hope," written in 1799 by Thomas Campbell. A line in the poem, "The wolf's long howl from Oonalaska's shore," gave him the idea.
Because it was close to the river, the village became very important for the lumber industry. Many years later, in the 1930s, big changes came to the Mississippi River. A series of locks and dams were being built. Lock and Dam No. 7 was constructed to control the Black River. This construction created the large reservoir we now know as Lake Onalaska.
The lake was named after the nearby village (now a city) and rural town of Onalaska. Both of these places are right on the lake's shores. Before it was called Lake Onalaska, people considered other names. Some ideas were Lake Roosevelt and Lake Leisure.
Fun on Lake Onalaska Today
Lake Onalaska is a very popular spot on the upper Mississippi River. People visit it all year long!
In the summer, there are many fun things to do. Visitors enjoy waterskiing, boating, and windsurfing. Fishing is also very popular. You can also have picnics on the beach or go bird-watching. The lake is home to many different kinds of migratory waterfowl (birds that travel). It also has many fish, like Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Walleye, and both Large and Smallmouth Bass.
The LaCrosse Sailing Club is located at the northern tip of French Island. This island is at the south end of the lake.
When fall arrives, the bluffs around the Mississippi River and Lake Onalaska become beautiful. They turn bright red and gold. This amazing sight brings tourists from all over the country.
In winter, the lake freezes over, and the ice fishing season begins. You will often see many tents dotted across the ice. When the ice is thick enough, you might even see ice boats sailing!
In 2018, a special fish was caught in Lake Onalaska. It was a Spotted sucker, and it set a new Wisconsin state record! The fish was 20.5 inches (52 cm) long and weighed 4 pounds, 10.2 ounces (2.1 kg).
