Lake Shelbyville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Shelbyville |
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Shelbyville Lake and Dam on the Kaskaskia River
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 Lake Shelbyville
Location in Illinois
Lake Shelbyville
Location in the United States
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| Location | Shelby / Moultrie counties, Illinois, United States |
| Coordinates | 39°28′18″N 88°42′50″W / 39.47167°N 88.71389°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Kaskaskia River West Okaw River |
| Primary outflows | Kaskaskia River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 11,100 acres (44.9 km2) (normal pool) |
| Average depth | 18.9 ft (5.8 m) |
| Max. depth | 67 ft (20.4 m) |
| Surface elevation | 183 meters (600.4 ft) |
| Settlements | Shelbyville, Illinois |
Lake Shelbyville is a large, man-made lake in Illinois. It was created by building a dam across the Kaskaskia River. This beautiful lake is located in Shelby County, Illinois and Moultrie County, Illinois. It's a popular spot for outdoor fun!
The lake covers about 11,100 acres (45 square kilometers) of water. It sits at an elevation of about 600 feet (183 meters) above sea level. The land around the lake is called the Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers takes care of the lake itself. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages the animals and plants around it. They work together to keep the lake healthy and fun for everyone.
Building Lake Shelbyville
The idea for Lake Shelbyville began many years ago. The project to build the dam and lake cost about $57 million. This money helped create the lake we see today.
Work on the dam started on May 4, 1963. It took several years to build this big structure. The dam is about 3,025 feet (922 meters) long and 108 feet (33 meters) tall.
The lake began to fill with water on August 1, 1970. Just over a month later, on September 12, 1970, Lake Shelbyville was officially opened. It quickly became a favorite place for people to visit.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Lake Shelbyville is a great place for outdoor activities. There are two state parks right next to the lake. These are Wolf Creek State Park and Eagle Creek State Park.
You can also find five federal campgrounds around the lake. These include Coon Creek, Opossum Creek, Lithia Springs, Lone Point, and Forest (Bo) Woods. Wilburn Creek and Whitley Creek Recreational Area also offer places to relax.
The lake's edge is covered with many trees. This makes it a beautiful place to explore. You can find man-made beaches at Dam West (Shelbyville), Wilborn Creek, Wolf Creek State Park, and Sullivan Beach.
Lake Shelbyville has many small coves. These quiet spots are perfect for fishing. The lake is also deeper than many other lakes in Illinois. This makes it a very popular place for boaters during the summer months.
Marinas and Services
If you love boating, Lake Shelbyville has you covered. There are three full-service marinas where you can get everything you need. These are Findlay, Lithia Springs, and Sullivan Marina.
- Findlay Marina: This marina is located on the west side of the lake, north of Marker 5.
- Sullivan Marina and Campground: You can find this marina about 4 miles south of Sullivan. It even has hotel suites if you want to stay overnight.
- Lithia Springs Marina: This marina is on the southern end of Lake Shelbyville. It offers many services for boaters. You can rent covered or open boat slips here. They also have fuel pumps, Wi-Fi, and places to pump out waste from your boat.
Lithia Springs Marina also has a Subway restaurant. You can find a ship store there that sells bait, fishing licenses, and boat rentals. They also have clothing, ice, and other supplies. Plus, they have a full-service shop with mechanics to help with boat repairs.
