Lake Wissota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Wissota |
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from the northeast shore at sunset
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 Lake Wissota
Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | Chippewa County, Wisconsin, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°56′48″N 91°19′36″W / 44.94663°N 91.32654°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Chippewa River, Paint Creek, Stillson Creek, Yellow River, O'Neil Creek |
| Primary outflows | Chippewa River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 6,024 acres (2,438 ha) |
| Max. depth | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Surface elevation | 899 ft (274 m) |
| Settlements | Lafayette, Anson, Eagle Point |
Lake Wissota is a large reservoir located in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, United States. It sits just east of the city of Chippewa Falls. Unlike natural lakes, a reservoir is a lake created by people, usually by building a dam across a river.
Lake Wissota covers a huge area of about 6,024 acres (over 2,400 hectares). At its deepest point, the lake is about 72 feet (22 meters) deep. Several towns surround the lake, including Lafayette to the south, Anson to the north and east, and Eagle Point to the west.
Contents
Parts of Lake Wissota
Lake Wissota is split into two main sections by a piece of land called a peninsula. On this peninsula, you'll find the center of Lake Wissota Village.
Little Lake Wissota
The smaller southern part of the lake is often called "Little Lake Wissota". This area was formed when the valley of Paint Creek was flooded. Paint Creek flows into Little Lake Wissota from the east, and Stillson Creek enters from the southwest.
Big Lake Wissota
The larger northern part of the lake is usually just called "Lake Wissota", or sometimes "Big Lake Wissota". The main Chippewa River flows into this larger section from the northwest and then exits to the southwest. Other streams like the Yellow River (at Moon Bay) and O'Neil Creek also feed into the northern part of the lake.
Fun Activities at Lake Wissota
Lake Wissota is a very popular spot for outdoor activities in northwestern Wisconsin. People enjoy visiting the lake all year round.
Summer Fun
During the warmer months, the lake is a great place for many water sports. You can go boating, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, and swimming.
Winter Fun
When the lake freezes over in winter, it becomes a popular spot for ice fishing. Anglers brave the cold to catch fish through holes in the ice.
Lake Wissota State Park
On the northeastern side of the lake, you'll find Lake Wissota State Park. This park is a favorite for people who love to camp, hike, swim, and fish. It offers beautiful views and a chance to enjoy nature.
Lake Wissota in Movies
You might have heard of Lake Wissota from the famous movie Titanic. In the film, one of the main characters, Jack Dawson, mentions that he used to go ice fishing on Lake Wissota with his father. However, this is a small historical mistake in the movie. The real Lake Wissota was created in 1917, which was five years after the RMS Titanic sank in 1912. So, Jack couldn't have fished there!
Wissota Hydroelectric Dam
Lake Wissota was formed because of the Wissota Hydroelectric Dam. This dam was built on the Chippewa River and was finished in 1917.
Building the Dam
The Wisconsin-Minnesota Light and Power Company built the dam. An engineer working on the project, Louis G. Arnold, came up with the name "Wissota" by combining parts of "Wisconsin" and "Minnesota."
Power Generation
Today, the dam is owned and operated by Xcel Energy. It's a powerful dam that can produce 36 megawatts of electricity. This means it uses the force of the water to create power for homes and businesses.
