Geneva Lake
| Geneva Lake | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°35′24″N 88°26′06″W / 42.59000°N 88.43500°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Surface area | 21.17 km2 (8.17 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 19.1 m (62.7 ft) |
| Max. depth | 44m (144 ft) |
| Settlements | Lake Geneva, Fontana-on-Geneva-Lake, Williams Bay |
Geneva Lake is a body of freshwater in Walworth County in southeastern Wisconsin. On its shores are the city of Lake Geneva, and the villages of Fontana-on-Geneva-Lake, and Williams Bay.
The lake covers an area of approximately 8.14 square miles (21.1 km2), has a maximum length of 7.5 miles (12 km), mean depth of 62.7 feet (19.1 m) and a maximum depth of 144 feet (44 m). Geologists believe that it is a filled-in kettle formed from a receding glacier.
Lakeshore
The lake and the community of Lake Geneva were named after the town of Geneva, New York, located on Seneca Lake, to which government surveyor John Brink[1] saw a resemblance. Geneva, to avoid confusion with the nearby town of Geneva, Illinois, was renamed Lake Geneva; later the lake was renamed Geneva Lake.
Lakeshore attractions include Big Foot Beach State Park, Lake Geneva Yacht Club, the George Williams College campus of Aurora University, and the Yerkes Observatory. The observatory is owned by the University of Chicago, which has established a study group to plan a regional center for science education at the observatory.[2]
Public access to the lake is allowed as the result of a decision by early European settlers to the area that "20 feet of land leading up to the shoreline should be public domain."[3][4][5] A shorepath, which is open to the public, completely surrounds the lake.[3][4][5] Between 21[4][5] and 26[3] miles long, it supposedly follows the route taken by Potawatomi Indians.[3] The path crosses the estates of the Schwinns, Swifts, Wackers, and Wrigleys.[3]
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Geneva Lake Shorepath sign -
Geneva Lake Shorepath sign
References
- ^ "A short history of Geneva Lake". University of Lake Geneva. 2003. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
- ^ "Yerkes Study Group formed to consider observatory's future". University of Chicago. 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
- ^ a b c d e Timothy J. Tuomey and Magdalene Wise Tuomey (August 28, 1988). "A Hike Around Lake Geneva Is A Walk For All Seasons". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
- ^ a b c "Geneva Lake Shorepath Walk". Lake Geneva Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
- ^ a b c "Walk, Hike, or Run on the Lake Geneva Lake Shore Path". The Downtown Lake Geneva Business Improvement District. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
External links
- Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce
- Template:PDFlink, report by USGS with history and environmental info.
- My Rambles in The Enchanted Summer Land, 1881
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