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Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

Coordinates: 46°5′N 90°13′W / 46.083°N 90.217°W / 46.083; -90.217
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Turtle-Flambeau Flowage
View of the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, looking Southwest from Fisherman's Landing
LocationIron County, Wisconsin,
United States
Coordinates46°5′N 90°13′W / 46.083°N 90.217°W / 46.083; -90.217
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area12,942 acres (5,237 ha) (39.4 sq. km)
Max. depth50 ft (15 m)
IslandsBig Island, plus many others
SettlementsMercer, Butternut

The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is a 12,942 acre lake, located in Iron County, Wisconsin.[1] It has a maximum depth of 50 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye and Sturgeon. The lake's water clarity is low.[2]

History

The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage was created in 1926 when the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company[3] built a dam on the Flambeau River downstream from its confluence with the Turtle River. The dam flooded, 16 natural lakes and formed an impoundment of approximately 14,000 acres.[4]

The flowage was constructed as a reservoir to augment river flows and sustain hydroelectric plants operated downstream by electric utilities and paper mills. The dam also provided flood protection and created a unique recreational resource.[5]

Tourism

The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is a major destination of summer tourism. Visitors have access to the lake from four public boat landings.[6] Camping, hunting, and fishing are also popular activities. The Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area offers 60 remote campsites accessible by water only. These sites are available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no camping fee, but camping on the flowage is restricted to designated sites.[7]

Historically, many lakeside resorts have existed in the vicinity of the flowage. However, today much of the shoreline remains sparsely developed.[8]

Management

Some lake management activities are undertaken by the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage & Trude Lake Property Owners Association, Inc.[9]

See also

List of lakes in Wisconsin

External links

References

  1. ^ "Wisconsin DNR website". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Wisconsin DNR website". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  3. ^ Hittle, Michael. (2018). An Accidental Jewel: Wisconsin's Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. Mineral Point, Wisconsin: Little Creek Press. ISBN 9781942586319, OCLC 1028737912. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Wisconsin Natural Resources article". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Wisconsin Natural Resources article". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Wisconsin DNR website". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Wisconsin Natural Resources article". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Wisconsin Natural Resources article". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  9. ^ "Owners Association website". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.