Silver Lake (Rochester, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver Lake |
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 Silver Lake
Location in Minnesota
Silver Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rochester, Minnesota, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°02′00″N 92°27′26″W / 44.0333°N 92.4571°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Max. depth | 11 ft (3.4 m) |
| Settlements | Rochester MN |
Silver Lake is a small, freshwater reservoir located in Southeastern Minnesota. It is a popular spot for outdoor activities and a key feature of the city of Rochester.
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About Silver Lake
Silver Lake is found on the South Fork of the Zumbro River. It is located about half a mile north of downtown Rochester. The lake covers an area of about 50 acres (20 hectares). Its deepest point is around 11 feet (3.4 meters).
Past Use by a Power Plant
For many years, an electrical power plant operated by Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) used Silver Lake. The plant used the lake's water for cooling its machinery. Because of this, the lake acted like a "heat sink." This means it absorbed heat from the power plant.
The warm water from the power plant kept the lake from freezing in the winter. This warm water attracted many Canada geese. These geese would stay in the area all year round.
Changes to the Lake and Geese Population
The RPU power plant has since closed down. Now, Silver Lake freezes over during the winter months. The city of Rochester has been working on plans to manage the large number of Canada geese.
One method used is "egg oiling." Volunteers performed this in 2021. This process involves coating goose eggs with oil. This stops the eggs from developing. In 2022, the city also planned to replace goose eggs with ceramic ones. These methods help to control the goose population in a safe way.
Recreation and Activities
A public park surrounds most of Silver Lake. This park is a great place for people to enjoy nature. In the summer, visitors can rent paddleboats and canoes. This allows them to explore the lake from the water.
Silver Lake is also the home base for the Rochester Rowing Club. Members of this club practice their rowing skills on the lake every day.
