Van Norman Lake (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Van Norman Lake |
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 Van Norman Lake
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Oakland County, Michigan, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 42°42′15″N 83°24′48″W / 42.704152°N 83.413226°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 66 acres (27 ha) |
| Max. depth | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Surface elevation | 295 m (968 ft) |
| Islands | one |
| Settlements | Independence Township, Waterford Township |
Van Norman Lake is a private, 66-acre lake in Oakland County, Michigan. It's a great spot for all kinds of water sports! The lake is part of the main branch of the Clinton River in the Michigan state.
Most of Van Norman Lake is in Independence Township, Michigan. However, a small part of its southern end is in Waterford Township, Michigan.
This lake was created a long time ago, in the late 1800s. A dam was built on the Clinton River, near Dixie Highway and Andersonville Road. Before the dam, there was just a small pond in Waterford Village, Michigan.
Van Norman Lake is quite deep, reaching about 90 ft (27 m). It currently has one island. Back in the 1980s, there were three islands. But two of them have disappeared over time due to erosion.
Van Norman Lake is connected to other lakes. Upstream, to the east, it connects to Lester Lake (12 acres) and Greens Lake (117 acres). Downstream, to the west, it connects to Townsend Lake (26 acres) and Woodhull Lake (135 acres).
This lake is the deepest in Independence Township. It's also the sixth-deepest out of 387 lakes in Oakland County.
Why is it Called Van Norman Lake?
Van Norman Lake got its name from Zenas Harvey Van Norman. He owned all the land along the northern shore of the lake. He owned this property from 1886 to 1916. This land was known as Waterford Hill. It was one of the highest points in Independence Township.
Zenas Van Norman was born in Canada in 1822. He was a fruit grower by trade. He called his property "Van Norman Farm Resort." He grew more than fifty different kinds of fruit trees there.
Zenas Van Norman passed away in 1917 in Waterford, Michigan. He is buried in Hagaman Cemetery in Lenawee County, Michigan. Before it was named Van Norman Lake, people called it Mill Pond.
Fish You Can Find
Van Norman Lake is home to several types of fish. You might find:
