Summit Lake (West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Summit Lake |
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looking west along the dam
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 Summit Lake
Location in West Virginia
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| Location | Greenbrier County, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°14′56″N 80°26′13″W / 38.249°N 80.437°W |
| Primary inflows | Coats Run |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 43 acres (17 ha) |
Summit Lake is a 43-acre (about 17 hectares) cold water lake in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. It's located within the Monongahela National Forest, in an area known as the Gauley Ranger District. This lake was created by building a dam across two small streams called Coats Run. These streams flow into the North Fork of the Cherry River.
Sometimes, if the Cherry River gets too low during dry weather, Summit Lake can help. Its water can be used to supply the town of Richwood. Some people have tried to rename the lake after Carl E. Gainer, a politician from Richwood. However, this idea has not been very popular with local people or the United States Forest Service.
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Fun Things to Do at Summit Lake
Summit Lake is a great place for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy visiting the lake and the area around it.
Fishing for Fun
The lake is very popular with people who like to fish. It has many different kinds of fish, like panfish and bass. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources also adds trout to the lake several times each year. This helps make sure there are always plenty of fish for everyone.
Exploring the Outdoors
Around Summit Lake, you can find a simple campground with 33 spots for tents or RVs. From here, you can also get to the Cranberry Backcountry, which is a large wild area.
Hiking Trails
If you enjoy hiking, there are several trails near Summit Lake. One trail goes all the way around the lake. Another trail, called Fisherman's Trail, is about two miles (3 km) long and leads to the Cranberry River. This river is also a popular spot for trout fishing. Some of these trails are even used for cross-country skiing when it snows in the winter.
Boating and Swimming
You can use small motorboats or rowboats on Summit Lake. However, there are rules about swimming. Usually, swimming is not allowed, except during a special event called the Scenic Mountain Triathlon that happens once a year.
