Lake Cadillac

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Lake Cadillac
The lake, popular with boaters in the summer.
Location	Wexford County, Michigan
Coordinates	44°14′23″N, 85°25′39″WCoordinates: 44°14′23″N, 85°25′39″W
Lake type	Soft water kettle lake
Primary inflows	Clam Lake Canal
Primary outflows	Clam River
Catchment area	34,356
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	2.6 mi (4.2 km)
Max. width	.82 mi (1.3 km)
Surface area	1,150 acres (4.7 km²)
Average depth	11.8 ft (3.6 m)
Max. depth	28 ft (8.5 m)
Water volume	13,458 acre·ft (16,600,000 m³)
Shore length¹	7.77 mi (12.5 km)
Surface elevation	1,289 ft (393 m)
Settlements	Cadillac
¹ Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Cadillac is a lake located within the city of Cadillac, Michigan. It is part of the Muskegon River watershed.

1 Natural Features
2 History
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Natural Features

Lake Cadillac is fed by two inlets: a small river flowing from Lake Mitchell and a short canal of the same origin. There is one outlet, the Clam River. Approximately 50% of the water is 15 feet (4.6 m) deep or less.^[1]

In 2005, infestations of Eurasian watermilfoil were discovered. During the summer, over a quarter of the lake's surface area became inhabited by the milfoil.^[2] Treatments for the invasive began in 2006. In 2007 the infestation was brought down to acceptable levels.^[3]

[edit] History

Historically, Lake Cadillac was referred to as Little Clam Lake. In 1873 a canal was constructed connecting Little Clam Lake to Big Clam Lake (present-day Lake Mitchell). At the time, the canal enabled logging on the west side of Lake Mitchell; logs floated through the canal entered Lake Cadillac, on the east shore of which stood lumber mills, the railroad and the Village of Clam Lake. When the Village officially changed its name to the City of Cadillac in 1882, the lake became known as Lake Cadillac.

Following the passing of the lumber area, the lake became a regional tourist destination. William Mitchell State Park, popular with campers, now occupies the east shore of the lake, adjacent to the canal.