Wycamp Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wycamp Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Wycamp Lake
Location in Michigan
|
|
| Location | Emmet County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 45°39′39″N 84°57′58″W / 45.660869°N 84.966155°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 709 acres (2.87 km2) |
| Max. depth | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Shore length1 | 9.8 mi (15.8 km) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Wycamp Lake is a shallow lake located in Emmet County, Michigan in the United States. It covers about 709 acres (2.87 square kilometers) of water. You can find it about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) northeast of a town called Cross Village, Michigan. Wycamp Lake is part of the large Mackinaw State Forest. You can get to the lake using local roads and the North Country Trail.
Contents
About Wycamp Lake
Wycamp Lake is a typical shallow lake found in the northern forests. It is partly surrounded by wet, marshy areas called wetlands. These wetlands are important for many plants and animals.
A Special Kind of Lake
Wycamp Lake is actually a type of reservoir. This means its water level is controlled by a small dam. This dam is located at the Wycamp Creek outlet. It helps manage how much water flows from the lake into Lake Michigan.
Nature and History
The area around Wycamp Lake has a long and interesting history. It is part of a large forest region known as the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. This area has a mix of different types of trees.
Forest Changes Over Time
In the late 1800s, many trees around Wycamp Lake were cut down for timber. This was a common practice back then. After the trees were harvested, the land was often left empty. These lands eventually became public property again. Today, much of the land around the lake is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. They help protect the natural environment.
Ancient Campsite
People have lived near Wycamp Lake and Wycamp Creek for hundreds of years. There is a special place called the Wycamp Creek Site. It is a historic campsite located near where the creek flows into Lake Michigan. This site is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Scientists have found old stone tools at the Wycamp Creek Site. These tools might have been used to hunt birds. Even today, Wycamp Lake is a popular spot for bird hunting.
