- Geist Reservoir
Infobox lake
lake_name = Geist Reservoir
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Indianapolis,Indiana
coords = coord|39.91|N|85.99|W|type:waterbody_region:US-IN|display=inline,title
type =Reservoir
inflow = Fall Creek
outflow = Fall Creek
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = convert|1890|acre|km2|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth =
volume = convert|6100000000|USgal|km3|abbr=on|lk=on
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =
frozen =Geist Reservoir is a man-made
lake in Indianapolis,Indiana , U.S., constructed in 1943 by damming Fall Creek to provide water for Indianapolis. Upon completion, Geist Reservoir was the second largest lake in Indiana providing approximately seven billion gallons of water.History
Geist Reservoir was named after Clarence Geist, a former owner of the
Indianapolis Water Company who foresaw a deficit in Indianapolis's water supply, and envisioned Geist Reservoir to preemptively address the problem – but not without a casualty. Planning for the reservoir began as early as 1913, whenhydraulic engineer s estimated that White River and Fall Creek would not provide enough water for the increasing needs of Indianapolis. Geist gradually bought some convert|5000|acre|km2 in Fall Creek Valley in the 1920s and 1930s, including the small town of Germantown, which today lies at the bottom of the reservoir.Although controversial, the reservoir was completed in 1943, five years after Clarence Geist's death. In the 1960s further controversy arose over plans for commercial and residential development in the area around the lake. A proposal in the 1970s to triple the size of the reservoir was defeated, and a housing boom began in the lake area. In recent years the Geist area has experienced rapid growth. The area is noted for its unique topography and the reservoir.
Description
The dam which creates Geist Reservoir is located at the lake's southern end. Fed by Fall Creek on the north, the lake overflow is directed into the creek again at the south. The reservoir is mostly rather shallow (ten feet or less). The area has undergone rapid development, and many high-valued homes now line the reservoir's waterfront.
Geist Reservoir spans three counties in Indiana (Marion, Hamilton, and Hancock), four voting precincts, four school districts (Lawrence, Hamilton Southeastern, and Mt. Vernon), and features five different zip codes (46037, 46256, 46236, 46040, 46055). This diversity is brought together through a local community website called atGeist.com, which also publishes a monthly community newsletter.
External links
*cite web|url=http://www.hclc.info/Community/Geist_Reservoir/geist_reservoir.htm|title=Geist Reservoir|publisher=Holy Cross Lutheran Church|date=2007|accessdate=2007-08-27
*cite web|url=http://sec.edgar-online.com/1994/03/30/00/0000911916-94-000066/Section3.asp|title=IWC Resources Corp. 10-K: Properties|publisher=EDGAROnline|date=1994-03-30|accessdate=2007-08-27
*cite web|url=http://www.logcabinvet.com/history/history.php|title=History of Geist Reservoir and Germantown |publisher=Log Cabin Animal Hospital at Geist|accessdate=2007-08-30
*cite web|url=http://geistblogs.com/|title=atGeist.com: The Geist Reservoir Blogging Community|accessdate=2007-08-27
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