Lake Wawasee
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Lake Wawasee, formerly Turkey Lake is a large lake south of Syracuse in Kosciusko County, Indiana. It is the largest natural lake in Indiana.
Source for largest natural lake information: Oakwood
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[edit] History
It is named for the Miami chief Wawasee, who settled on a reservation in the area.
[edit] Hydrology
Lake Wawasee is spring fed and Indiana's largest natural lake with over 12 km² (3000 acres) and many channels. The maximum depth is 77 feet and an average depth of 22 feet. The lakes are typical in structure of natural lakes of the glaciated portions of the upper Midwest. The lake is presently healthy and has balanced aquatic ecosystems. (From the 1995 Wawasee Area Watershed Lake EnhancementDiagnostic/Feasibility Study By Commonwealth Biomonitoring inc.) The lake has a large 'sand bar' which is located about 500 yards off the shore on the southwest shore. The sand bar is about 2 acres of the lake where depths are about 3 to 4 feet.
There are two smaller lakes near Wawasee. Syracuse Lake to the north is accessible from Wawasee through the 'Main Channel.' Lake Papakeechie to the south is at an elevation slightly higher than Wawasee. It is not accessible by boat from Wawasee.
[edit] Water Quality and Wetlands
This watershed starts at Little Knapp and Harper Lakes in Noble County and flows down through 10 lakes by way of Turkey Creek into Lake Wawasee, then through the wetlands of Main Channel and Mud Lake into Syracuse Lake. The watershed consists of 23,618 acres. The Wawasee Watershed is an area of 23,618 acres that encompasses Wawasee, Syracuse, Bonar and Papakeechie lakes as well as the ten lakes in the upper Turkey Creek and Papakeechie subwatersheds. Water clarity and keeping the lake clean for future generations is a big push for the community around Wawasee. One of the most active organizations involved in wetland and water quality protection is Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation [1]. This non profit group has a documented history of action of lake preservation. The Foundation was formed in 1991 to anticipate, search out, and solve threats to the Wawasee Area Watershed and to its water quality. The Foundation is dedicated to the enhancement of the area and will work hand-in-hand with property owner groups, the State Department of Natural Resources and other governmental and civic organizations that share its concerns.
One of these battles has been on going with a local farmer who has a permit to open a hog farm in the area. So far the conservancy has been successful in dissuading the local farmer. [2] Lake Wawasee is unusually clear for an Midwest lake. One of the reasons for this clarity is because of its location. Just a few miles from a continental divide that separates water that runs off to the Mississippi and the Missouri basins. Another reason for clarity is because most of the lakes nutrients are tied up in vegetation and zebra mussels. According to a recent study water clarity allows for viewing 10 to 15 foot depths when other Midwest lakes have a clarity to 3 to 5 foot depths. [3]
[edit] Recreation
- The lake home of 3 restaurants which are accessible to boaters. The most famous of these restaurants is 'The Frog'. Which features outside eating close to your boat or in your boat. The Frog also has the largest vessel on the lake. A boat named the 'Lily Pad'. The Lily Pad hosts class reunions and special brunches. You can also take a 3 hour historical cruise around the lake which is offered several times a year.
- The lake is home to two yacht clubs with lessons for young sailors. Every weekend during the Summer season the yacht clubs hold a regatta with lessons for children on Saturday mornings.
- On Sundays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Lake Wawasee is home to a "boat-in" Christian worship service near Oakwood, where the preacher preaches from a boat anchored off the shore, offerings are collected in fish nets, and worshipers often come in their swimsuits.
- The 4th of July weekend sports fireworks launched from water borne craft at Wawasee's Buttermilk Bay. There is also a 'Floatilla' which features decorated boats in a parade around the lake.
