Smear Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smear Lake |
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 Smear Lake
Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | Bayfield County, Wisconsin |
| Coordinates | 46°14′58″N 91°19′18″W / 46.24944°N 91.32167°W |
| Type | lake |
| Surface area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Max. depth | 4 feet (1.2 m) |
Smear Lake is a small, shallow lake located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, in the United States. It's a natural body of water, meaning it formed naturally over time, not by human construction. Smear Lake is known for being quite shallow, with its deepest point only about 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep. It covers an area of about 9 acres (3.6 hectares).
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What is Smear Lake?
Smear Lake is a type of lake, which is a large area of water surrounded by land. Lakes are different from rivers because their water doesn't flow continuously in one direction. Instead, it collects in a basin. Smear Lake is a relatively small lake, especially when compared to some of the much larger lakes found in Wisconsin or around the world.
Where is Smear Lake Located?
Smear Lake can be found in Bayfield County, which is a part of the state of Wisconsin in the northern Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is known for its many lakes and forests, making it a popular place for outdoor activities. Bayfield County itself is in the northern part of Wisconsin, near Lake Superior.
How Big and Deep is Smear Lake?
Smear Lake measures about 9 acres (3.6 hectares) in size. To give you an idea, one acre is roughly the size of a football field without the end zones. So, Smear Lake is about nine football fields put together. Its maximum depth is only 4 feet (1.2 meters). This means that in most places, an adult could stand up in the water without going completely underwater. This shallow depth affects what kinds of plants and animals can live there.
Life in and Around Smear Lake
Even though Smear Lake is shallow and small, lakes like it often support a variety of plant and animal life. The shallow water means that sunlight can reach the bottom, allowing many aquatic plants to grow. These plants provide food and shelter for different creatures.
Plants in Shallow Lakes
In shallow lakes, you might find plants like water lilies floating on the surface or cattails growing along the edges. Underwater, plants like pondweed and coontail can create dense beds. These plants are important because they produce oxygen and offer hiding spots for small fish and insects.
Animals in Shallow Lakes
Shallow lakes are home to many different animals. You might find various types of fish, frogs, turtles, and insects like dragonflies and mayflies. Birds, such as ducks and herons, often visit shallow lakes to feed on the fish and insects. Mammals like muskrats or beavers might also live nearby.
Why are Lakes Important?
Lakes, even small ones like Smear Lake, are very important parts of our natural world. They provide habitats for many different species of plants and animals. They also help to store water and can be important for the local ecosystem. People often enjoy lakes for activities like fishing, boating, or simply observing nature.
