Torch Lake (Houghton County, Michigan)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Torch Lake
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Osceola Township, Houghton County, Michigan
coords = coord|47|09|N|88|25|W|region:US-MI_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Traprock River
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length = 6 mi (9.7 km)
width = 1.5 mi (2.4 km)
area = convert|2659|acre|km2|0
depth =
max-depth = convert|120|ft|m|0|abbr=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities = Lake Linden

Torch Lake is approximately 2,700 acres (11 km²) lying mostly within Torch Lake Township and having portions within Osceola Township and Schoolcraft Township. The lake is fed by the Traprock River.

The village of Lake Linden at the north end of the lake was once the site of the largest copper milling operation in North America. About 200 million tons of copper mill stamp sands were dumped into Torch Lake itself, filling about 20 percent of the lake's volume. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency believes the contaminated sediments to be convert|70|ft|m|0 thick in some areas, and surface sediments contain up to 2,000 parts per million (ppm) of copper.

The lake is about five miles (8 km) east-northeast of Houghton and is approximately six miles (9.7 km) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide at coord|47|09|N|88|25|W|region:US-MI_type:waterbody. The lake has a total surface area of convert|2659|acre|km2|0, and a maximum depth of convert|120|ft|m|0. A channel drains from the lake south into Torch Bay, which opens into Portage Lake.

External links

* [http://www.epa.gov/R5Super/npl/michigan/MID980901946.htm Torch Lake (Houghton County) Superfund Site information from the EPA]
* [http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/trchlke.html Torch Lake (Houghton County) Area of Concern information from the EPA]