Walloon Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walloon Lake |
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View of North Arm
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 Walloon Lake
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Charlevoix / Emmet counties, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°17′09″N 85°01′06″W / 45.28583°N 85.01833°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary inflows | groundwater |
| Primary outflows | Bear River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 9 mi (14 km) |
| Max. width | 0.7–1.3 mi (1.1–2.1 km) |
| Surface area | 4,270 acres (17.3 km2) |
| Max. depth | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Residence time | 5+ years |
| Surface elevation | 686 feet (209 m) |
| Settlements | Village of Walloon Lake |
Walloon Lake is a beautiful lake in Michigan, formed by ancient glaciers. It is located in Charlevoix and Emmet counties, in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Many people have vacation homes and cottages around the lake.
Even though one end of Walloon Lake is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) from Lake Michigan, Walloon Lake sits over 100 feet (30 meters) higher! The Bear River flows out of the east side of Walloon Lake. It winds its way to Petoskey and then empties into Lake Michigan.
Contents
What Lives in Walloon Lake?
Walloon Lake covers about 4,270 acres (17.3 square kilometers). It gets most of its water from groundwater, which is water found underground. The deepest part of the lake is just over 100 feet (30 meters) deep.
Recently, a tiny creature called the zebra mussel has moved into the lake. These mussels are an invasive species, meaning they are not native to the area. They filter the water, making it even clearer than before. For a few months after the ice melts in spring, you can sometimes see all the way to the bottom in areas up to 30 feet (9 meters) deep!
Fun Things to Do at Walloon Lake
The land around Walloon Lake has become very valuable since the 1970s. Many large houses have been built there. People often call different parts of the lake by names like the "west arm" or the "foot."
There are two popular camps on the lake:
- Camp Daggett
- Camp Michigania, which is run by the University of Michigan's Alumni Association.
Around 2010, the area at the "foot" of the lake started to get new buildings. New apartments were built, and a restaurant and a shop opened. In 2014, work began on a new hotel right by the lake.
Historic Places to See
Windemere: Ernest Hemingway's Summer Home
On the north shore of Walloon Lake, you'll find a special house called Windemere. This was the summer home of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway when he was a child. The house is still owned by his family today.
The Walloon Lake Inn
The Walloon Lake Inn was first called Fern Cottage. It used to be a popular spot for visitors and a place where steamboats would drop off travelers heading to hotels or cottages. The inn has been updated over the years and is now a fine dining restaurant. It also has a French-style restaurant and a cooking school.
