Newnans Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newnans Lake |
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 Newnans Lake
Location in Florida
Newnans Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Gainesville, Florida |
| Coordinates | 29°39′02″N 82°13′06″W / 29.65056°N 82.21833°W |
| Type | eutrophic |
| Primary outflows | Prairie Creek |
| Catchment area | 308 km2 (119 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 3,042 ha (7,520 acres) |
| Average depth | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) |
| Max. depth | 3.6 m (12 ft) |
| Water volume | 58×106 m3 (2.0×109 cu ft) |
| Residence time | 0.6 years |
| Surface elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
Newnans Lake is a beautiful lake located near Gainesville, Florida. You can find it just east of the city, off State Road 20. This lake is about 1.12 miles (2 km) wide.
Newnans Lake is a special place for many animals and plants. Alachua County has even made it a protected site. Long ago, it was known by another name: Lake Pithlachocco.
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Discovering Newnans Lake
Newnans Lake is a shallow, freshwater lake. It is known for its rich plant and animal life. The lake is a great spot for nature lovers.
Where is Newnans Lake Located?
Newnans Lake is in Alachua County, Florida. It sits just east of the city of Gainesville. The lake is easy to reach by road.
Wildlife and Nature at Newnans Lake
This lake is home to many different kinds of wildlife. You can find various fish, birds, and other creatures here. It is an important natural area for the region.
The History of Newnans Lake
The lake's history includes changes to its water flow. It also holds secrets from ancient times.
How Did Newnans Lake Change?
Before 1927, water from Newnans Lake flowed into Paynes Prairie. This happened through a stream called Prairie Creek. In 1927, a company called Camp Ranch built a canal. This canal changed the water's path. It sent water to the River Styx and then to Orange Lake. Because of this, Paynes Prairie received much less water.
Ancient Canoes Found at Newnans Lake
In the spring and summer of 2000, a drought happened. The water level in Newnans Lake dropped very low. This revealed something amazing: old canoe pieces!
Scientists studied 41 of these canoe fragments. They used a method called radiocarbon dating. This showed the canoes were very old. They dated back to between 2300 and 5000 B.C. This means they were made by ancient people. These people were part of the Archaic Period Indian Tribes. The canoes showed similar ways of making things and wood choices.
This incredible discovery was very important. Because of it, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened in March 2001.
Newnans Lake State Forest
To the west of Newnans Lake, there is a large forest. It is called the Newnans Lake State Forest. This forest covers about 1,005-acre (407 ha). It adds to the natural beauty and protection of the area around the lake.
