Vernon Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vernon Lake |
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 Vernon Lake
Location in Louisiana
Vernon Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Vernon Parish, Louisiana, US |
| Coordinates | 31°12′06″N 93°21′51″W / 31.201700°N 93.364100°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Anacoco Creek also called Anacoco Bayou |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,700 ha (4,200 acres) |
| Average depth | 7.0 m (23 ft) |
| Max. depth | 16 m (53 ft) |
| Shore length1 | 79 km (49 mi) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Vernon Lake is a large man-made lake located in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. It was created in 1963 by building a dam across Anacoco Creek, also known as Anacoco Bayou. The lake covers about 4,200 acres (1,700 hectares) and was made to provide water and offer fun activities like fishing and boating. It is located about five miles west of Leesville.
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History of Vernon Lake
The idea for Vernon Lake started in 1948. The Louisiana government passed a law to create the Anacoco-Prairie State Game and Fish Preserve. This meant setting aside land to protect wild animals and fish. Money was also set aside to buy more wildlife, restock fish, and build a dam. The first dam was finished in 1951.
Who looks after the lake?
Over the years, different groups have helped manage Vernon Lake. In 1981, the job of looking after the lake's wildlife and fish was given to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF). They make sure the fish and animals in and around the lake are healthy.
The State of Louisiana owns the land under the lake. The dam itself is managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. They are in charge of keeping the dam and its structures in good shape. A local group, the Vernon Parish Game and Fish Commission, also helps by giving advice on how to manage the lake.
About the Dam
The dam at Vernon Lake is an earthen dam, meaning it's made mostly of packed earth. It is very long, stretching about 4,911 feet (1,497 meters). The top of the dam is about 16 feet (4.9 meters) wide. It helps hold back the water to form the lake.
Dam repairs
After Tropical Storm Harvey passed through the area, the dam at Vernon Lake was damaged. Because of this, the lake's water level was lowered to allow for repairs. The lake will stay at a lower level until all the necessary work is completed.
Fish Eating Advisory
Since 1997, there has been a special warning about eating fish from Vernon Lake. This warning is called a "fish consumption advisory." It means that some fish in the lake have higher levels of a natural element called mercury.
Eating too much fish with high mercury levels can be unhealthy. It's especially important for young children, babies, and pregnant women to be careful. High levels of mercury can affect nerves and kidneys over time. The advisory specifically mentions largemouth bass, Flathead catfish, Redear sunfish, and Bluegill (also known as Bream) sunfish. It's always a good idea to check the latest advisories before eating fish from any lake.
