Lake Allegan

Lake Allegan
Location	Allegan County, Michigan
Coordinates	42°33′N 85°56′W / 42.550°N 85.933°WCoordinates: 42°33′N 85°56′W / 42.550°N 85.933°W
Primary inflows	Kalamazoo River
Primary outflows	Lake Michigan
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	6 mi (9.7 km)
Max. width	1.5 mi (2.4 km)
Surface area	2.5 sq mi (6.5 km^2)
Average depth	15 ft (4.6 m)
Surface elevation	600 ft (180 m)
Islands	Eagle Island
Settlements	Allegan, MI

Lake Allegan is a man-made lake located in Valley Township just outside the city of Allegan in the U.S. state of Michigan (Allegan County). The lake is a formerly polluted dam reservoir containing the backwaters of the Kalamazoo River.^[1] The lake is part of the watershed project due to water quality and pollution issues related to PCBs. However, the water has been determined to be safe for swimming and boating. ^[2] The lake has a large surface area of almost 1,600 acres (2.5 mi², 6.475 km²). Fish consumption is not recommended due to PCB contamination ^[3] Salmon runs occur on the western side of Lake Allegan's Calkins Bridge dam which leads to Lake Michigan via the Kalamazoo River.^[4][5]

Lake Allegan is adjacent to the 50,000-acre Allegan Forest.^[6][7] Geese, ducks, kingfishers, eagles and great blue herons frequent the lake. The Allegan Lake Overlook is one of the best places to view the lake located on Monroe Road, two and one half miles from M-89. There is a DNR access point and a boat launch located at Echo Point on Monroe Road near 42nd Street.^[8][9]

On the west shoreline of Lake Allegan, there still exists the building foundations of a P.O.W. camp that housed German prisoners during World War II. This camp, which is part of the Allegan State Game Area, was in use until the end of the war.^[10] It is interesting to note that the prisoners at the camp thought Lake Allegan was Lake Michigan and that they could escape by swimming to Chicago.^[11]

Lake Allegan's water levels are constant and predictable due to Calkins Bridge Dam. The Kalamazoo River flows into Lake Allegan to Calkins and then out to Lake Michigan near Saugatuck. Calkins Bridge Dam provides electricity for the area and recreational opportunities. In the spring and fall, when the fish are spawning, the Calkins Bridge Dam is a favorite spot for fishermen. The Calkins Bridge Dam is owned and operated by Consumers Energy Company and is also referred to as Allegan Hydroelectric Plant.^[12][13][14]

Lake Allegan

References

1. http://www.michiganlakesteam.com/lake-info-detail.cfm?id=158&water=Lake-Allegan-Informationref
2. http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2010/08/12/cr_opinion/letters/3.txt
3. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-erd-kzoo-fish_warn_311594_7.pdf
5. "A Brief History of Valley Township". Valley Township, Allegan County, Michigan, USA. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
6. Dnr, Michigan. "Michigan" (PDF). Retrieved 11 October 2010.
7. Michigan. "Property".
8. Weick, Charlotte (27 July 2009). "Traveling the Heritage Trail: Lake Allegan area". Advance Newspapers. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
9. http://www.bbonline.com/articles/michigan/allegan/a-guide-to-boating-on-lake-allegan.html
10. Michigan dnr. "Wildlife habitat" (PDF).
11. "A Brief History of Valley Township". Valley Township, Allegan County, Michigan, USA. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
12. Allegan Tourist Council. "Allegan County Heritage Trail". Allegan County Heritage Trail Guide. Allegan County Tourist Council. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
13. PHOTO TOUR "Exploring Lake Allegan" Check |url= value (help).
14. Allegan Tourist Council. "Allegan County Heritage Trail". Allegan County Heritage Trail Guide. Allegan County Tourist Council. Retrieved 18 July 2012.