Lake Springfield

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Springfield
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Springfield, Illinois
coords = coord|39|45|34|N|089|36|01|W|region:US-IL_type:waterbody_source:gnis|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow = Lick Creek, Sugar Creek
outflow = Sugar Creek
catchment = convert|265|sqmi|abbr=on
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = convert|4260|acre|km2|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth =
volume = convert|17500000000|USgal|km3|abbr=on
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|561|ft|abbr=on
islands =
cities = Springfield

Lake Springfield is a 4,260 acre (17.2 km²) artificial lake located in the city of Springfield, Illinois, southeast of downtown. It is 561 feet (171 m) above sea level. It was formed in 1931-35 by building Spaulding Dam across Sugar Creek, a tributary of the Sangamon River.cite book
year = 1991
title = Illinois Atlas and Gazetteer
publisher = DeLorme Mapping
location = Freeport, Maine
id = ISBN 0-89933-213-7 ]

The lake was created as a source of water for Springfield and to provide coolant for the City Water, Light & Power coal-fired electrical generating plant. It has also served as a focus of local recreation. Owners of high-powered motor boats enjoy the lack of a power limit on much of the lake, and the lake is known for warm-water fish such as bluegill and crappie. Lake Springfield can be seen from Interstate 55. The limited-access highway crosses the lake on two bridges between mileposts 88 and 89. The lake in accessible from exit 88 (East Lake Shore Drive), exit 90 (Toronto Road), and exit 94 (Stevenson Drive).

Lake Springfield is close to the campus of the University of Illinois at Springfield. It also borders Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden, a local arboretum, and the Henson Robinson Zoo.

References

External links

* [http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/1993/ihy930571b.html History of lake]