Patoka Lake
Encyclopedia
Patoka Lake is the second largest reservoir in Indiana and is spread across Dubois
, Crawford
, and Orange
counties in southern Indiana
.
Created as a joint effort between the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
the lake is one of eight such reservoirs built in the state to provide a secure water supply and as a method of flood control. The lake consists of 8,800 acres (36 km²) of water in the summer. The lake was created by damming the Patoka River. The dam is located about 118.3 miles (190 km) above the mouth of the Patoka River
. The lake is fed by several smaller tributaries including Allen Creek, Paint Creek, and Ritter Creek. After the lake was created several parks and nature preserves were established around it totaling 16920 acres (68.5 km²). The lake and dam is still managed by a cooperative management team of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Patoka Lake is a great place for photography, as it is inhabited by migrating birds, a large variety of fish and beautiful lake shores. The lake has been heavily stocked with bass
, bluegill
, catfish
, redear, crappie
, and walleye
. Once a year the Lake association hosts GarDaze, an event bringing in avid fisherman from around the world, including fishing celebrities like Babe Winkleman
and Bill Dance
. Other activities available include Archery Range, Boating with 9 Launch Ramps,Cross-country skiing, Fishing and Ice Fishing, Disc Golf Course, Hiking and Biking Trails, Hunting by permit, Interpretive and Recreational Programs, Star Parties, Picnicking with Shelterhouses, Swimming, and Waterskiing. The lake also hosts a large campground with over 500 camping sites.
Patoka Lake has been very beneficial to the surrounding community and the State of Indiana
. The lake has generated over $19.4 million in revenue and visitor expenditures in 2005 and has so far prevented over $88 million in flood damage. In 2006 the lake saw 648,738 visitors who provide jobs for 197 local residents.
Dubois County, Indiana
Dubois County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. The county seat is Jasper. As of 2010, the population was 41,889.Dubois County is part of the Jasper Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Crawford
Crawford County, Indiana
Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 10,713. The county seat is English.-Geography:...
, and Orange
Orange County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,306 people, 7,621 households, and 5,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 people per square mile . There were 8,348 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
counties in southern Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
Created as a joint effort between the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Indiana charged with maintaining natural areas such as state parks, state forests, recreation areas, etc...
the lake is one of eight such reservoirs built in the state to provide a secure water supply and as a method of flood control. The lake consists of 8,800 acres (36 km²) of water in the summer. The lake was created by damming the Patoka River. The dam is located about 118.3 miles (190 km) above the mouth of the Patoka River
Patoka River
The Patoka River is a tributary of the Wabash River in southwestern Indiana in the United States. It drains a largely rural area of forested bottomland and agricultural lands among the hills north of Evansville.-Description:...
. The lake is fed by several smaller tributaries including Allen Creek, Paint Creek, and Ritter Creek. After the lake was created several parks and nature preserves were established around it totaling 16920 acres (68.5 km²). The lake and dam is still managed by a cooperative management team of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Patoka Lake is a great place for photography, as it is inhabited by migrating birds, a large variety of fish and beautiful lake shores. The lake has been heavily stocked with bass
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
, bluegill
Bluegill
The Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes.-Range and distribution:...
, catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, redear, crappie
Crappie
Crappie is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis, the white crappie...
, and walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
. Once a year the Lake association hosts GarDaze, an event bringing in avid fisherman from around the world, including fishing celebrities like Babe Winkleman
Wild TV
Wild TV is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel providing outdoor programming in the form of hunting and fishing programs. The channel is owned by Dieter Kohler through Wild TV Inc.-Distribution:Wild TV was launched in September 2004...
and Bill Dance
Bill Dance Outdoors
Bill Dance Outdoors is a fishing television series hosted by retired professional tournament angler Bill Dance. Each episode focuses on various aspects of recreational fishing techniques, usually targeting black bass species such as Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, though does occasionally focus on...
. Other activities available include Archery Range, Boating with 9 Launch Ramps,Cross-country skiing, Fishing and Ice Fishing, Disc Golf Course, Hiking and Biking Trails, Hunting by permit, Interpretive and Recreational Programs, Star Parties, Picnicking with Shelterhouses, Swimming, and Waterskiing. The lake also hosts a large campground with over 500 camping sites.
Patoka Lake has been very beneficial to the surrounding community and the State of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. The lake has generated over $19.4 million in revenue and visitor expenditures in 2005 and has so far prevented over $88 million in flood damage. In 2006 the lake saw 648,738 visitors who provide jobs for 197 local residents.
External links
- http://www.patokalakeindiana.com/
- Indiana DNR