Geist Reservoir

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Geist Reservoir
Location	Indianapolis, Indiana
Coordinates	39.91° N 85.99° WCoordinates: 39.91° N 85.99° W
Lake type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	Fall Creek
Primary outflows	Fall Creek
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	1,890 acres (7.6 km²)
Water volume	6.1 billion gallons (approx.)

Geist Reservoir is a man-made lake in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., constructed in 1943 by damming Fall Creek to provide water for Indianapolis. Upon completion, Geist Reservoir was the second largest lake in Indiana providing approximately seven billion gallons of water.

[edit] History

Geist Reservoir was named after Clarence Geist, a former owner of the Indianapolis Water Company who foresaw a deficit in Indianapolis's water supply, and envisioned Geist Reservoir to preemptively address the problem – but not without a casualty. Planning for the reservoir began as early as 1913, when hydraulic engineers estimated that White River and Fall Creek would not provide enough water for the increasing needs of Indianapolis. Geist gradually bought some 5,000 acres (20 km²) in Fall Creek Valley in the 1920s and 1930s, including the small town of Germantown, which today lies at the bottom of the reservoir.

Although controversial, the reservoir was completed in 1943, five years after Clarence Geist's death. In the 1960s further controversy arose over plans for commercial and residential development in the area around the lake. A proposal in the 1970s to triple the size of the reservoir was defeated, and a housing boom began in the lake area. In recent years the Geist area has experienced rapid growth. The area is noted for its unique topography and the reservoir.

[edit] Description

The dam which creates Geist Reservoir is located at the lake's southern end. Fed by Fall Creek on the north, the lake overflow is directed into the creek again at the south. The reservoir is mostly rather shallow (ten feet or less). The area has undergone rapid development, and many high-valued homes now line the reservoir's waterfront.

Geist Reservoir spans three counties in Indiana (Marion, Hamilton, and Hancock), four voting precincts, four school districts (Lawrence, Hamilton Southeastern, and Mt. Vernon), and features five different zip codes (46037, 46256, 46236, 46040, 46055). This diversity is brought together through a local community website called atGeist.com, which also publishes a monthly community newsletter.