Lake Wallenpaupack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Wallenpaupack |
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 Lake Wallenpaupack
Location in Pennsylvania
Lake Wallenpaupack
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pike / Wayne counties, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°24′47″N 75°14′25″W / 41.41306°N 75.24028°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Wallenpaupack Creek |
| Primary outflows | Lackawaxen River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 13 mi (21 km) |
| Max. width | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Surface area | 9 sq mi (23 km2) |
| Average depth | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Shore length1 | 52 mi (84 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,185 ft (361 m) |
| Islands | Epply, Kipp, Burns, Cairns |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Wallenpaupack is a large lake in northeastern Pennsylvania. It is the second-biggest lake in Pennsylvania that is completely inside the state. The lake has 52 miles (84 kilometers) of shoreline and is 13 miles (21 kilometers) long. Its deepest point is about 60 feet (18 meters).
This lake was made in 1926 by the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company (PPL). They built it to make electricity and to help control floods. Today, Lake Wallenpaupack is a very popular place for fun activities in the Pocono Mountains. It is located near the town of Hawley. The lake also forms part of the border between Pike and Wayne counties.
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How Lake Wallenpaupack Was Made
Long ago, the Lenape Native Americans lived in this area. They called the land "Wallenpaupack," which means "The Stream of Swift and Slow Water." Later, William Penn owned this land. He then gave it to his son, who passed it on to James Wilson. James Wilson was one of the people who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Building the Big Dam
To create the lake, PPL built a large dam on Wallenpaupack Creek. They also built a levee called Tafton Dike. About 2,700 workers spent almost two years building these structures. After the dam was finished, it took seven months for the valley to fill up with water and become the lake we see today.
PPL bought the land in the valley from about 100 owners. They paid around $20 for each acre. Most of the buildings in the area were torn down or moved. Some houses stayed, and when the valley flooded, the water was so clear that you could see the houses underwater.
The project also involved moving 17 miles (27 km) of roads and power lines. Even the Purdytown cemetery had to be moved to a new location. The old town of Wilsonville is now completely covered by the lake, near the dam.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Lake Wallenpaupack is a big attraction in the Pocono Mountains. Many people from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York visit, especially in the summer. It's a great spot for family vacations and outdoor adventures.
In the summer, you can go boating, swimming, and fishing. When winter comes, the lake freezes over. This makes it perfect for ice skating and ice fishing. A special event called the "Ice Tee Golf Tournament" happens each winter. People play golf right on the frozen lake!
The lake's wooded shores are also great for hiking and seeing local wildlife. You might spot deer or different kinds of birds.
Fishing and Wildlife
Lake Wallenpaupack is home to many types of fish. Some popular ones include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, and bluegill. You can also find walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, and pickerel.
Other fish living here are rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, catfish, and yellow perch. Sometimes, striped bass and hybrid striped bass are added to the lake. The lake is 13 miles (21 km) long, has 52 miles (84 km) of shoreline, and is about 60 feet (18 m) deep at its maximum depth.
Protecting the Lake's Environment
Lake Wallenpaupack faces some environmental challenges. For example, too many boats can affect the water quality. There are also issues with algal blooms, which are large growths of algae. These can happen because of runoff from farms, which carries nutrients into the lake. Another problem is an invasive plant called purple loosestrife growing along the shores.
The lake is also used to teach students about ecology. Students from the Wallenpaupack Area School District learn about the environment using the lake as a living classroom. This helps them understand how to protect natural places.
Lake Wallenpaupack in Pop Culture
Lake Wallenpaupack was shown in the popular TV show The Office. It was featured as a retreat location in an episode called Booze Cruise, which was in the second season of the show.
Images for kids
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Dock in spring when water level is high
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Same dock in summer when water level is lower; held in place with ropes to shore
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Dam, with water flowing after a hurricane had caused record high water. The flume (large pipe) transports water to generator, miles away.
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Lightning class sailboat; motorboating, water skiing and fishing also popular
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Whitetail deer are frequently seen near houses and on roads
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View from east shore looking west (up lake). Epply Island visible left side
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