Lake Ore-be-gone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Ore-be-gone |
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Location | Gilbert, Minnesota |
Coordinates | 47°28′43″N 92°27′42″W / 47.47861°N 92.46167°W |
Type | Artificial lake |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 140 acres (57 ha) |
Max. depth | 132 m (433 ft) |
Surface elevation | 1,452 ft (443 m) above sea level |
Lake Ore-be-gone is a special artificial lake located in Gilbert, Minnesota, USA. It covers about 140 acres, which is roughly the size of 100 football fields! This lake was created when three very large open-pit iron ore mines filled up with water.
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Discover Lake Ore-be-gone
Lake Ore-be-gone is unique because it was once a busy mining area. Today, it's a popular spot for fun activities and exploring.
From Mine to Lake: How it Formed
After the huge mining pits were no longer used, they slowly filled with water. This created the deep lake we see today. The deepest part of the lake is about 132 meters (433 feet) deep.
Once the pits became a lake, the land around it was cleaned up and made useful again. This process is called land reclamation. Thanks to this work, the area now has nice beaches and docks for everyone to enjoy. In 2011, new swimming areas and boat landings were also built to make the lake even better for visitors.
Underwater Adventures for Divers
Lake Ore-be-gone is a fantastic place for scuba divers. There are many interesting things hidden underwater near the boat landings and beaches. Divers can explore sunken attractions, which makes each dive an exciting adventure.
If you want to go diving, you can find a map outside the changing house. This map shows where the different underwater sites are located. From late spring until October, white buoys usually mark these special spots on the water's surface.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Lake Ore-be-gone" is a clever play on words. It sounds a lot like "Lake Wobegon," a famous fictional town in Minnesota from a popular radio show.
The name also has another meaning related to the lake's history. Since iron "ore" is no longer mined from these pits, "Ore be gone" is a funny way to say that the mining work is finished. It's a reminder of how the lake was formed!