Peavy Pond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peavy Pond |
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Coordinates | 46°00′43″N 88°12′10″W / 46.0119474°N 88.2028130°W |
Type | Reservoir |
Primary inflows | Michigamme River, Paint River |
Primary outflows | Michigamme River |
Surface area | 2,400 acres (970 ha) |
Surface elevation | 1,283 ft (391 m) |
Settlements | Mastodon Township |
Peavy Pond is a large, human-made lake in Iron County, Michigan. It's called a reservoir because it was created by building a dam, the Peavy Falls Dam. This dam holds back water from two rivers, the Michigamme River and the Paint River, forming the pond. Peavy Pond is an important part of a bigger water system that eventually flows into Lake Michigan.
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What is Peavy Pond?
Peavy Pond is a big body of water covering about 2,400 acres. That's like 1,800 football fields! It's located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Unlike natural lakes, Peavy Pond was created by people. It was formed when the Peavy Falls Dam was built across the Michigamme River.
How Reservoirs Are Made
A reservoir is a place where water is collected and stored. It's usually made by building a dam across a river. This dam stops the water flow, causing it to back up and form a large lake. Reservoirs are very useful because they can store water for many purposes.
Why Peavy Pond Was Created
Peavy Pond was created to help manage the water from the Michigamme and Paint rivers. It's part of a larger system that helps control water levels. This can be important for things like generating electricity or preventing floods.
Peavy Pond's Water Journey
The water in Peavy Pond comes from two main rivers: the Michigamme River and the Paint River. These rivers flow into the pond, filling it up.
Flowing Out to Lake Michigan
From Peavy Pond, the water continues its journey. It flows out through the Peavy Falls Dam and back into the Michigamme River. The Michigamme River then joins with the Menominee River. Finally, the Menominee River carries all this water into Lake Michigan. This whole path is part of what's called the Menominee Drainage Basin.
Understanding a Drainage Basin
A drainage basin is like a giant funnel. It's an area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into a common river, lake, or ocean. The Menominee Drainage Basin collects water from a large area of Michigan and Wisconsin. All this water eventually makes its way to Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes.
Location and Surroundings
Peavy Pond is located in Mastodon Township, which is in Iron County, Michigan. This area is known for its beautiful forests and natural landscapes. The pond is a peaceful spot surrounded by trees and wildlife.
Iron County, Michigan
Iron County is in the western part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It's a place with lots of natural beauty, including many lakes, rivers, and forests. People often visit Iron County for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and exploring nature. Peavy Pond is one of the many important water bodies in this region.