Ten Mile Lake (Cass County, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ten Mile Lake |
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 Ten Mile Lake
Location in Minnesota
Ten Mile Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cass County, Minnesota, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°58′N 94°35′W / 46.97°N 94.58°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 5,046.68 acres (2,042.32 ha) |
| Max. depth | 208 ft (63 m) |
| Water volume | 260,892 acre⋅ft (321,806,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 24.83 mi (39.96 km) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Ten Mile Lake is a beautiful lake found in the middle of northern Minnesota, United States. It's located just south of Walker and northwest of Hackensack. This lake gets its water from fresh underground springs. It is the deepest natural lake completely inside Minnesota's borders. Ten Mile Lake covers more than 5,046 acres (about 20 square kilometers). It is also very deep, reaching a maximum depth of 208 feet (about 63 meters). People know Ten Mile Lake for its super clear and clean water, thanks to those fresh springs.
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What's in a Name?
Ten Mile Lake got its name because it was about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away from the Indian agency on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. This was a way to describe its location a long time ago.
Neighboring Waters
Ten Mile Lake has other lakes nearby. To the north, you'll find Portage Lake. To the south, there's Birch Lake.
Ten Mile Lake is also where the Boy River begins. This river flows downstream through Boy Lake and Woman Lake. Eventually, it joins the Leech Lake River and then the mighty Mississippi River. This path is a popular route for canoeing and kayaking. It's a great trip because there aren't many places where you have to carry your boat (called a portage), and you can finish the journey in just a few days.
Most of the land around Ten Mile Lake is owned by private people or families. However, there are several resorts that offer visitors a place to stay for fun vacations.
Protecting the Lake
Lakes can sometimes face problems from something called invasive species. These are plants or animals that are not native to an area. They can cause harm to the local environment.
What are Invasive Species?
Invasive species are like uninvited guests that move into a new place. They can take over, harm native plants and animals, and change the natural balance of the lake. This can affect the fish, the water quality, and even how people enjoy the lake.
Zebra Mussels
Despite many efforts to stop them, tiny young zebra mussels were found in Ten Mile Lake in October 2019. Zebra mussels are a type of invasive shell creature. They can attach to surfaces, clog pipes, and filter out tiny food particles that other native animals need.
Spiny Waterfleas
People living around Ten Mile Lake are also working hard to prevent another invasive species called the spiny waterflea from getting into the lake. These tiny creatures have affected other lakes in the Great Lakes area. They can eat the same food as young fish, making it harder for the fish to grow.
It's important for everyone to help prevent the spread of these species. Boaters and anglers should always clean their boats and gear before moving from one lake to another.
