Wixom Lake facts for kids
Wixom Lake was a large reservoir in the state of Michigan, United States. It existed from 1925 until 2020. A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake where water is stored, often behind a dam.
The lake was named after Frank Wixom, who helped build the Edenville Dam. This dam held back the water to create Wixom Lake. Interestingly, for a lake of its size, Wixom Lake even had a lighthouse on an island called Musselman Island!
In May 2020, Wixom Lake was sadly destroyed. The earthen dam that held its waters collapsed, causing the lake to drain away.
Wixom Lake was the third in a series of four reservoirs along the Tittabawassee River. These lakes were managed so their water levels were lower in winter (to help prevent floods) and higher in summer (for fun activities like boating).
What Was Wixom Lake Like?
Wixom Lake was quite large. It usually covered about 1,980 acres (about 8 square kilometers) of land. Its shoreline stretched for more than 84 miles (about 135 kilometers).
The lake could hold a lot of water. Its deepest point was about 40 feet (12 meters).
Why Did the Dam Collapse?
The Edenville Dam was an earthen dam, meaning it was made mostly of soil and rock. In May 2020, heavy rains caused the water in Wixom Lake to rise very high. The water went over the top of the dam, which is called "overtopping."
When the water flowed over the dam, it started to wash away the earth that made up the dam. This caused the dam to break apart and collapse. As a result, the water from Wixom Lake rushed out, and the lake disappeared.
Protecting Nature at the Lake
Before the dam collapsed, there were some concerns about how the lake's water level was being managed. In 2018 and 2019, the water level of Wixom Lake was lowered without proper permission.
This change in water level caused harm to thousands of freshwater mussels living in the lake. Mussels are important creatures that help keep the water clean by filtering it. Protecting these animals and their homes is very important for the health of our rivers and lakes.
