Muskegon Lake
{{Short description|Lake in Muskegon County, Michigan, USA}}
{{use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Muskegon Lake
| image = File:Pigeon Hall and Yacht Club, Muskegon, Michigan (73789).jpg
| caption =
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Muskegon County, Michigan
| coords = {{coord|43.2324|-86.2945|format=dms|type:waterbody_region:US-MI|display=inline,title}}
| type = Lake
| inflow = Muskegon River
| outflow =
| catchment =
| basin_countries = United States
| length = {{convert|5.5|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|2.5|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}
| area = {{convert|4150|acre|km2|1|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| max-depth = {{convert|79|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}
| volume =
| residence_time =
| pushpin_map = Michigan#USA
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|581|feet|abbr=on}}{{gnis|1620964}}
| islands =
| cities =
}}
Muskegon Lake is a {{convert|4150|acre|km2|adj=on}} fresh-water lake in Muskegon County, Michigan, USA. Located in the lower peninsula at the mouth of the Muskegon River, Muskegon Lake forms a {{convert|12|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} broad harbor along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, approximately {{convert|2.5|mi|km|1}} wide by {{convert|5.5|mi|km|1}} long.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
Hydrology
The Muskegon River, Michigan's second-longest river, originating at Houghton Lake and flowing southwest for {{convert|227|mi|km}}, empties into Muskegon Lake at the eastern end before entering Lake Michigan. On the north, Bear Creek/Lake empties into the lake via the Bear Lake Channel and on the south, Ryerson Creek and Ruddiman Creek flow into Muskegon Lake.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
History
Muskegon Lake played an important role in the early development of the city of Muskegon, as well as the logging industry in Michigan. Timber, particularly white pine, was harvested throughout central Michigan and floated downstream on the Muskegon River to the lake, which at one time boasted more than 47 sawmills along its banks.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
Cities and parks
Cities located on Muskegon Lake include Muskegon, Michigan and North Muskegon, Michigan. Major parks located along Muskegon Lake include Muskegon State Park on the north at Lake Michigan, Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon, and Pere Marquette Park on the south at Lake Michigan.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
Transportation
Docks for the Lake Express Cross-Lake Ferry which provides ferry service across Lake Michigan between Muskegon, Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are located on the southern shore of Muskegon Lake. Muskegon Lake sightseeing trips are also available aboard the Aquastar (formerly the Port City Princess).{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
Recreational activities
Several public and private marinas and boat launch facilities are located along the shores of Muskegon Lake and recreational sailing and boating are popular activities. Sport fishing is also popular on Muskegon Lake where King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Lake Trout and Perch are found. Other popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking, ice boating, concerts and festivals.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
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- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606085531/http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/MuskegnR Yahoo! Education — Muskegon, river, United States]
- [http://www.michigandnr.com/PUBLICATIONS/PDFS/ifr/ifrlibra/special/abstracts/spec19abst.htmMichigan Department of Natural Resources — Muskegon River Watershed Assessment]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- {{cite web|url=http://msupress.msu.edu/imageDump/2006%20fall%20michigan.pdf |title=Michigan State University Press Catalog — The Muskegon |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903213955/http://msupress.msu.edu/imageDump/2006%20fall%20michigan.pdf |archivedate=2006-09-03 }} {{small|(1.66 MiB)}}
- [http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14934.shtml NOAA nautical chart]
- {{cite web|url= http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/SPATIALDATALIBRARY/PDF_MAPS/INLAND_LAKE_MAPS/MUSKEGON/MUSKEGON_LAKE.PDF |title=Michigan DNR map of Muskegon Lake }} {{small|(274 KiB)}}
- [http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14934.shtml NOAA Nautical chart of Muskegon Lake]
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