Lake of Egypt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake of Egypt |
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 Lake of Egypt
Location in Illinois
Lake of Egypt
Location in the United States
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Map - the lake's irregular shape reveals its origins as a dammed river amidst hilly terrain.
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| Location | Williamson and Johnson Counties, Little Egypt region, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 37°37′30″N 88°57′30″W / 37.62500°N 88.95833°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Saline River |
| Primary outflows | Saline River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,300 acres (9 km²) |
| Average depth | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Max. depth | 52 ft (16 m) |
| Shore length1 | 90 mi (140 km) |
| Surface elevation | 466 feet (142 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake of Egypt is a large, man-made lake in the southern part of Illinois, U.S.. It is called a reservoir because it was created by building a dam. The lake is about six miles (10 km) south of a town called Marion, Illinois.
This lake covers a big area, about 2,300 acres (9 km²). It also has a very long shoreline, stretching for 90 miles (145 km). The water in the lake is usually about 18 feet (5.5 m) deep, but in some spots, it can be as deep as 52 feet (16 m).
The Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC) owns Lake of Egypt. They built the lake in 1962. They needed a lot of water to cool down their power plant, which uses coal to make electricity. The lake was made by damming the South Fork of the Saline River.
Since the lake is privately owned, it has its own set of rules. These rules are made by SIPC and the state of Illinois. People are allowed to visit the lake, and all sizes of boat motors can be used. You can also go waterskiing and use jet skis in most parts of the lake.
History of the Lake
Lake of Egypt was created in 1962. The Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC) built a dam on the South Fork of the Saline River. This created the lake to provide cooling water for their new power plant.
The lake got its name from the "Little Egypt" region of Southern Illinois. This area is nicknamed "Little Egypt" because of its rich soil, similar to the Nile River valley in Egypt.
Fun Things to Do
Lake of Egypt is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. It's a great place to visit if you enjoy being on the water or exploring nature.
Fishing
The lake is home to many different kinds of fish. If you like to fish, you might catch:
Boating and Water Sports
You can bring your boat to Lake of Egypt. All sizes of boat motors are allowed on the water. Many people enjoy waterskiing and riding jet skis in the lake's open areas.
Camping
If you want to stay overnight, you can go Camping at Buck Ridge Campground. This campground is part of the Shawnee National Forest, which is a large protected area.
Marinas
There are three marinas around Lake of Egypt. Marinas are places where you can dock your boat, get supplies, or rent equipment. The marinas are:
- The Resort at Egyptian Hills
- Mack's Lake of Egypt Marina
- Pyramid Acres
