Winnebago Pool facts for kids
The Winnebago Pool is a group of lakes in eastern Wisconsin that are all connected. Think of it like a big network of water! The main lake in this group is Lake Winnebago. Its surface sits about 746 feet above sea level.
Besides Lake Winnebago, this group also includes Big Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Poygan, and Lake Winneconne. After the water flows through these lakes and reaches Lake Winnebago, it then exits into the Lower Fox River. Over the next 39 miles, the river drops more than 150 feet before reaching the lower water level of Green Bay.
How Big is the Winnebago Pool?
The lakes of the Winnebago Pool cover a huge area, more than 166,000 acres (about 670 square kilometers). This means they make up almost 17% of all the surface water in Wisconsin, not counting the really big Great Lakes.
Where Does the Water Come From?
The main rivers that fill the Winnebago Pool are the Wolf River, the Upper Fox River, and the Fond du Lac River. These rivers bring water from a large area into the lakes.
A Historic Waterway
Lakes Winnebago and Big Lake Butte des Morts were once important parts of the Fox–Wisconsin Waterway. This was a historic water route that helped people travel and transport goods across Wisconsin long ago. The area known as Butte des Morts is also part of the Winnebago Pool.
