Peoria Lake

File:Peorialake.jpg

Explorers Joliet and Marquette arrive at Peoria Lake (1674).

Peoria Lake (40°42′8″N 89°33′16″W) is a section of the Illinois River between Peoria in Peoria County, Illinois and East Peoria in Tazewell County, Illinois. The oldest section of Peoria, the largest city on the river, lies at its shores.

The lake is formed by a broadening of the Illinois River, and was first mentioned by the Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette expedition in 1674. Several important Native American settlements were located close to it, like the main villages of the Kickapoo and Potawatomi tribes. Prior to European colonization, the lake was called Pimitoui ("Fat Lake").

From a modern perspective, the lake runs from just south of the McClugage Bridge (US 24/US 150/War Memorial Drive) to the Murray Baker Bridge (Interstate 74).

The lake is currently a regional tourist attraction, and is used for practice of many watersports. It is also the usual site for the City of Peoria's Fourth of July fireworks display.

See also

• Upper Peoria Lake

External links

• Peoria Lake Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project - by the United States Army Corps of Engineers

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