Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake |
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A view of the swimming area from the campground on the west shore of the lake.
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 Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake
Location in Minnesota
Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Crosby, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 46°29′22″N 93°57′53.5″W / 46.48944°N 93.964861°W |
| Type | Artificial lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 121 acres (49 ha) |
| Max. depth | 450 ft (140 m) |
Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake, also known as the Portsmouth Pit, is a very deep lake in Minnesota, USA. It is the deepest lake that is completely within the state. The lake is over 450 feet (137 meters) deep! While Lake Superior is even deeper, it is not entirely within Minnesota.
This lake is not natural. It is an artificial lake that used to be a big hole where people mined for iron. Over time, this mining pit filled up with water. It covers about 120 acres (49 hectares).
About Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake
Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake is part of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. This recreation area is in Crow Wing County. The city of Crosby is right next to the lake.
Fish in the Lake
The Minnesota DNR helps manage the lake. They have added many fish to it over the years. These fish include brook trout and rainbow trout. This makes the lake a popular spot for fishing.
A Special Launch Site
Before the pit filled with water, it was used for a special project. On August 19, 1957, a very large balloon was launched from the pit. This balloon was part of a project called Project Manhigh. It was the second flight for this Air Force project, which studied space.
