Sleepy Creek Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sleepy Creek Lake |
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Oblique air photo of the lake while it was frozen in Jan. 2009
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 Sleepy Creek Lake
Location in West Virginia
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| Location | Berkeley County, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 39°29′58″N 78°09′54″W / 39.4995413°N 78.1650038°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Meadow Branch of Sleepy Creek |
| Primary outflows | Meadow Branch of Sleepy Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 205 acres (0.8 km2) |
| Average depth | 9 ft (2.7 m) |
| Max. depth | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,099 ft (335 m) |
Sleepy Creek Lake is a beautiful man-made lake, also known as a reservoir, in West Virginia. It covers about 205-acre (0.8 km2) of water. The lake is fed by the Meadow Branch of Sleepy Creek. You can find it in Berkeley County, which is part of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. This whole lake is located inside the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area.
How Sleepy Creek Lake Was Made
Sleepy Creek Lake was built by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). This group helps manage natural areas and wildlife. The construction of the lake was finished in 1962.
Two years later, in 1964, the lake was officially opened for fishing. To make fishing even better, the WVDNR started adding northern pike fish to the lake in 1989.
Exploring Sleepy Creek Lake
Sleepy Creek Lake is a reservoir located high up, at about 1,099 feet (335 m) above sea level. It sits within the much larger Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area. This management area is huge, covering about 23,000-acre (90 km2). It stretches across both Morgan and Berkeley counties.
The lake is tucked away between two mountain ridges. On one side is Sleepy Creek Mountain, which is about 1,905 feet (581 m) tall. On the other side is Third Hill Mountain, standing at about 2,172 feet (662 m). The deepest part of the lake is about 26 feet (7.9 m) deep. On average, the lake is about nine feet (2.7 m) deep.
Fishing Fun at the Lake
Sleepy Creek Lake is a popular spot for fishing. Many different types of fish live here. You can try to catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, northern pike, and channel catfish. It's a great place to spend a day fishing!
