Lake Rousseau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Rousseau |
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View of the lake from the south shore.
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 Lake Rousseau
Location in Florida
Lake Rousseau
Location in the United States
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| Location | Citrus / Levy / Marion counties, Florida, United States |
| Coordinates | 29°01′31″N 82°34′46″W / 29.0253°N 82.5794°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Withlacoochee River, Rainbow River |
| Primary outflows | Withlacoochee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 12 miles (19 km) |
| Max. width | 1 mile (2 km) |
| Surface area | c. 3,700 acres (15 km²) |
| Settlements | Dunnellon |
Lake Rousseau is a large, man-made lake in central Florida. It was created by building a dam across the Withlacoochee River. This type of lake is called a reservoir.
The lake is located where three counties meet: Levy County, Marion County, and Citrus County. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities.
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How Lake Rousseau Was Made
Lake Rousseau was formed in the early 1900s. People built a dam across the Withlacoochee River. This dam held back the river's water, creating the large lake we see today.
Power from the Water
For many years, a company called Florida Power Corp used the lake to make electricity. They had a special building called a hydroelectric plant. This plant used the force of the water flowing from the dam to spin machines.
The hydroelectric plant worked from 1909 until 1965. It produced a lot of power, about 7.45 megawatts. That's enough electricity to power many homes!
Where is Lake Rousseau?
Lake Rousseau is about 35 miles (55 km) west of Ocala. It is also only about 10 miles (15 km) east of the Gulf Coast. This makes it easy to visit from different parts of Florida.
Rivers and Waterways
The lake is a part of the Withlacoochee River system. Other rivers and lakes also feed into Lake Rousseau. The Rainbow River and Lake Panasoffkee are two important sources of water for the lake.
Lake Rousseau is quite long, stretching about 12 miles (19 km). It is about 1 mile (2 km) wide. The lake covers a large area of about 3,700 acres (15 square kilometers).
The Cross Florida Barge Canal
To the west of Lake Rousseau, you can find part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This canal was started but never finished. It was planned to connect the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean across Florida.
Lake Rousseau State Recreation Area
Lake Rousseau is more than just a lake. It is also the main feature of the Lake Rousseau State Recreation Area and Campground. This area offers many fun things to do outdoors.
Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and camping here. It's a great place to explore nature and spend time with family and friends.
