Wheeler Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wheeler Lake |
|
|---|---|
Wheeler Lock and Dam, impounding Wheeler Lake on the Tennessee River
|
|
 Wheeler Lake
Location in Alabama
Wheeler Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | north Alabama |
| Coordinates | 34°48′30″N 087°23′00″W / 34.80833°N 87.38333°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
Wheeler Lake is a very large lake located in the northern part of Alabama, in the United States. It stretches between the towns of Rogersville and Huntsville. This big lake was formed by the Wheeler Dam on the Tennessee River.
Contents
About Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake is Alabama's second largest lake. It covers a huge area of about 67,100 acres (272 square kilometers). The lake is very long, stretching for 60 miles (96.5 kilometers). It reaches from the Wheeler Dam all the way to the Guntersville Dam.
How Wheeler Lake Was Made
Wheeler Lake is not a natural lake. It is a type of lake called a reservoir. Reservoirs are created when a dam is built across a river. The Wheeler Dam holds back the water of the Tennessee River. This creates the large body of water we know as Wheeler Lake.
Fun Things to Do at Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake is a very popular place for people to visit. About four million people come to the lake every year. There are many fun activities to enjoy here. You can go camping, boating, and fishing. Many different kinds of fish live in the lake.
A special place near the lake is the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a protected area for animals and plants. It is located a few miles upstream from the dam. Visitors can enjoy watching wildlife here.
Important for Boats
Wheeler Lake is also very important for moving goods. The city of Decatur has a busy port on the lake. This port is called the Port of Decatur. It is one of the busiest ports along the entire Tennessee River. Boats use the lake to transport many different items.
Who Was General Wheeler?
The lake and the dam are named after a famous person. His name was General Joseph "Joe" Wheeler. He was an important general in American history. Naming the lake after him honors his contributions.
