Mozingo Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mozingo Lake |
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Lake with the Golf Course grain silo in the background
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 Mozingo Lake
Location in Missouri
Mozingo Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Nodaway County, Missouri |
| Coordinates | 40°21′31″N 94°45′52″W / 40.358481°N 94.764354°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,006 acres (4 km2) |
Mozingo Lake is a large and important lake located in Nodaway County, Missouri. It's not a natural lake, but a special kind of lake called a reservoir. This means it was created by people to store water. Mozingo Lake was formed on Mozingo Creek.
This beautiful lake is super important because it provides drinking water for the nearby city of Maryville, Missouri. It's also a huge park where people can enjoy many outdoor activities!
What is a Reservoir?
A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake that is built to hold water. Engineers usually create them by building a dam across a river or stream. The water then backs up behind the dam, forming the lake.
Reservoirs like Mozingo Lake serve several important purposes:
- They store water for cities to use as drinking water.
- They can help control floods by holding back excess water during heavy rains.
- They often provide places for recreation, like fishing, boating, and swimming.
Mozingo Lake covers about 1,006 acres (4 km2) of water. That's a lot of space for water and fun!
History of Mozingo Lake
The idea for Mozingo Lake was to create a reliable water source for Maryville and a great place for recreation. The construction of the reservoir was finished in 1994.
Interestingly, even before it was fully completed, the lake played a role in a big event. In 1993, there was a huge flood known as the Great Flood of 1993. During this time, water actually overflowed the dam at Mozingo Lake, even though it was still being built. This showed how much water was in the area during that historic flood!
Mozingo Lake Park: Fun for Everyone
The city of Maryville owns Mozingo Lake. They manage it not only as a water source but also as a large park. The entire park area, including the lake, covers about 3,000 acres (which is about 12 square kilometers).
The park has a long shoreline of about 26 miles (42 km), offering plenty of space for activities. One of the main attractions at the park is the Mozingo Lake Golf Course. Besides golf, visitors can enjoy:
- Boating and fishing on the lake.
- Camping in different areas around the lake.
- Hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the park.
Mozingo Lake is a wonderful example of how a reservoir can serve both practical needs, like providing water, and also offer a fantastic place for people to relax and have fun outdoors.
