Sanford Lake, Michigan

Sanford Lake is a man made reservoir located in Midland County, Michigan. It was formed by the damming of the Tittabawassee River near the town of Sanford, Michigan. The main body of the lake stretches for about convert|6|mi|km north of the dam, but the water remains deep enough for small boat navigation up past the town of Edenville, Michigan ten miles (16 km) north of the dam. At its widest point the lake is slightly over half a mile. A survey by the Michigan DNR measured the main body of the lake at convert|1250|acre|km2. According to the Sanford Lake Improvement Board website maintained by Midland County, the lake has a surface area of convert|1499|acre|km2 and a shoreline length of convert|34.5|mi|km.

Tourism and Public Access

Sanford Lake is not a well-known tourist attraction but it is a popular recreation spot for the county and surrounding counties. There are 2 public accesses to the lake and many private community access points. Weekends in the summer find the lake filled with many pontoon boats, personal watercraft, sport fisherman, and swimmers.

Sanford Lake Park is located on the west side of the lake near the dam. This park, maintained by Midland County, has boat ramps, a sandy beach area with volleyball and swimming, pull-up parking for boats and jet-skis, picnic pavilions, playgrounds and a concession stand (sometimes). The beach is typically clean and well-groomed. Swimmers of all ages enjoy the water and sandy bottom beach. Access can be made by car for an entry fee or by boat.

Shoreline

The shoreline is mostly developed with single family homes. Many of these homes are located in small neighborhood communities (Verity Shores, Francis Shores, et al.) which maintain private boat launch sites, picnic areas and lake access for non-lakefront property owners. The area of the lake further north is lined with some wetlands and wilderness areas mixed with housing. There is one small marina on the east shore of the lake (Sanford Lake Marina) which has dockside gas, bait, tackle and snacks plus fundraising for breast cancer research. Sanford Lake features two restaurants, Sanford Lake Bar and Grill, a full service restaurant, brewpub and bar which maintains a small dock and is a short walk up the bank on the west shore; and Little Italy, an authentic Italian bistro which offers box lunches for boaters, who may use the Pineview Grocery dock.

Water Quality

The water quality of the lake is good. As a reservoir with a predominantly muddy bottom, turbidity is a bit higher than the average natural lake in Michigan. The introduction of Zebra mussels in the 1990’s has significantly improved water clarity, but this has led to an explosion of weed growth throughout the shallow portions of the lake. Fertilizers from the surrounding homes and agricultural areas have undoubtedly contributed to this growth. Significant weed control programs have been attempted over recent years with varying degrees of success. The lake, in any case, remains enjoyable for sports and swimming.

Fishing

Sanford Lake has a wide range of Michigan species: sunfish, bluegill, rock bass, perch, calicos, northern pike, crappie, catfish, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, musky, suckers catostomidae, and carp. The DNR stocked 65,000 walleye off the Sanford Lake Marina ramp in the spring of 2006. Several Bass competitions take place during the year.

The Fourth of July

The 4th of July on Sanford Lake is, perhaps, the biggest event on the lake each year. It is difficult to be a spectator or participant in the activities if you are not on a boat or at a home on the lakefront but, if you are, it is an enjoyable day and evening. Fireworks, in years past, have been launched from the boat launch and dock area of the Community of Christ campground on the west side of the lake (a private camp with no public access). Local tradition during the day allows for boat-to-boat water fights so be prepared for water balloons and sprayers of various configurations. The lakeshore is well lit from dusk until after the main fireworks with the home-variety of fireworks. The lake is full with pontoon boats and other watercraft enjoying the display.

External links

* [http://www.mlswa.org/Sanford-Lake-748/default.htm Sanford Lake Association Web Site]
* [http://www.mlswa.org/Sanford-Lake-748/Fireworks!.htm Sanford Lake Fireworks]
* [http://www.sanfordlakemarina.com/ Sanford Lake Marina]
* [http://www.co.midland.mi.us/departments/extra.php?id=21&pid=287 Midland County Parks - Sanford Lake Park]
* [http://www.co.midland.mi.us/departments/extra.php?id=9&pid=224 Sanford Lake Improvement Board]
* [http://www.pubcrawler.com/Template/ReviewWC.cfm/flat/BrewerID=101122 Sanford Lake Bar and Grill at pubcrawler website]