Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is a 12,942 acre lake, located in Iron County, Wisconsin.[1] It has a maximum depth of 50 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye and Sturgeon. The lake's water clarity is low.[2]

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage
View of the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, looking Southwest from Fisherman's Landing
LocationIron County, Wisconsin,
United States
Coordinates46°5′N 90°13′W
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area12,942 acres (5,237 ha) (39.4 sq. km)
Max. depth50 ft (15 m)
IslandsBig Island, plus many others
SettlementsMercer, Butternut

History

The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage was created in 1926 when the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company[3] built a dam on the Flambeau River downstream from its confluence with the Turtle River. The dam flooded, 16 natural lakes and formed an impoundment of approximately 14,000 acres.[4]

The flowage was constructed as a reservoir to augment river flows and sustain hydroelectric plants operated downstream by electric utilities and paper mills. The dam also provided flood protection and created a unique recreational resource.[5]

Tourism

The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is a major destination of summer tourism. Visitors have access to the lake from four public boat landings.[6] Camping, hunting, and fishing are also popular activities. The Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area offers 60 remote campsites accessible by water only. These sites are available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no camping fee, but camping on the flowage is restricted to designated sites.[7]

Historically, many lakeside resorts have existed in the vicinity of the flowage. However, today much of the shoreline remains sparsely developed.[8]

Management

Some lake management activities are undertaken by the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage & Trude Lake Property Owners Association, Inc.[9]

See also

List of lakes in Wisconsin

References
  1. "Wisconsin DNR website". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  2. "Wisconsin DNR website". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  3. Hittle, Michael. (2018). An Accidental Jewel: Wisconsin's Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. Mineral Point, Wisconsin: Little Creek Press. ISBN 9781942586319, OCLC 1028737912. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  4. "Wisconsin Natural Resources article". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  5. "Wisconsin Natural Resources article". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  6. "Wisconsin DNR website". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  7. "Wisconsin Natural Resources article". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  8. "Wisconsin Natural Resources article". Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  9. "Owners Association website". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.



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