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McArthur Lake (Fort Bragg) facts for kids

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McArthur Lake
McArthur Lake is located in North Carolina
McArthur Lake
McArthur Lake
Location in North Carolina
Location Hoke County, North Carolina, U.S.
Coordinates 35°11′00″N 79°15′27″W / 35.1833°N 79.2576°W / 35.1833; -79.2576
Type Reservoir
Basin countries United States
Max. length 1,137 feet (347 m)
Surface area 29 acres (12 ha)
Average depth 10 feet (3.0 m)
Water volume 252 acre-feet (311,000 m3)

McArthur Lake is a cool lake found in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It's not a natural lake, but a special kind of lake called a reservoir. This means it was made by people building a dam across a river or stream. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and other fun activities.

About McArthur Lake

McArthur Lake is located in Hoke County, North Carolina. You can find it at these coordinates: 35°11′00″N 79°15′27″W / 35.1833°N 79.2576°W / 35.1833; -79.2576. The lake is owned and managed by Fort Bragg.

How the Lake Was Made

McArthur Lake was created in 1935. This happened when a dam called McArthur Lake Dam was built. This dam is made of earth and is quite long, stretching about 1,137 feet (347 m). The dam helps to hold back water, forming the lake.

Lake Size and Depth

The lake covers an area of about 29 acres (12 ha). That's like 29 football fields! It holds about 252 acre-feet (311,000 m3) of water. The average depth of McArthur Lake is around 10 feet (3.0 m).

Water Flow and Use

Fort Bragg is located between two rivers: the Little River to the north and Rockfish Creek to the south. McArthur Lake is in the northern part of Fort Bragg, close to the Little River.

Water Storage

McArthur Lake, along with another lake called McKellars Lake, helps store water. This stored water can be released into the Little River if it's ever needed. However, this hasn't been necessary so far.

Fun at the Lake

McArthur Lake is a great place for outdoor fun, especially fishing!

Activities Allowed

You can enjoy many activities at McArthur Lake. There's a special ramp where you can launch your boat. Good news for boaters: there are no limits on how big your boat's motor can be!

What You Can't Do

Just like most lakes at Fort Bragg (except for Smith Lake), there are some rules to keep everyone safe and protect the lake. You are not allowed to:

  • Go swimming
  • Go windsurfing
  • Go water skiing
  • Use personal watercraft like jet skis

Fish in the Lake

McArthur Lake is known for its healthy fish population. The lake is "managed," which means people keep an eye on it, but they don't usually add chemicals like lime or fertilizer to the water. The fish usually do well on their own without needing extra fish to be added.

You might catch these types of fish in McArthur Lake:

References

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McArthur Lake (Fort Bragg) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.