Lake Onalaska
Encyclopedia
Lake Onalaska is a reservoir
located on the Mississippi River
between Wisconsin
, and Minnesota
. It is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) across, and is the widest point on the Mississippi River. Located in La Crosse County in the state of Wisconsin, its latitude and longitude are 43°52′01"N 091°18′26"W. The lake is 7688 acres (31.1 km²) and is shored by the city from which its name came from: Onalaska, Wisconsin
. It sits at an altitude of 633 feet (193 m) and is 43 feet (13.1 m) deep at its deepest.
The village, located in a heavy river-access area, became important in the lumber industry.
In the 1930’s, as a series of Lock and Dam systems were being implemented throughout the Upper Mississippi area, Lock and Dam No. 7
was built to dam the Black River
, creating the reservoir Lake Onalaska.
The name for Lake Onalaska is derived from the name of the village (now city) of Onalaska and the rural town of Onalaska
, both of which border the shores of the lake. Lake Roosevelt and Lake Leisure were, at one time, both considered possible names for what is now known as Lake Onalaska.
A sailing club is on the most northern tip of French Island, which is at the south end of the Lake.
In the fall, the bluffs surrounding the Mississippi River and Lake Onalaska explode into rich tones of reds and golds, drawing tourists from across the country.
In the winter, when the lake freezes over and the ice fishing season begins, Lake Onalaska is often dotted with dozens of tents.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
located on the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
between Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. It is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) across, and is the widest point on the Mississippi River. Located in La Crosse County in the state of Wisconsin, its latitude and longitude are 43°52′01"N 091°18′26"W. The lake is 7688 acres (31.1 km²) and is shored by the city from which its name came from: Onalaska, Wisconsin
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Onalaska is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 18,097. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area....
. It sits at an altitude of 633 feet (193 m) and is 43 feet (13.1 m) deep at its deepest.
History
Thomas G. Rowe (New York) and John C. Laird (Pennsylvania) platted the village of Onalaska, together, in 1851. Rowe chose the name from a poem by Thomas Campbell called “The Pleasures of Hope” published in 1799. The line “The wolf’s long howl from Oonalaska’s shore,” inspired his choice.The village, located in a heavy river-access area, became important in the lumber industry.
In the 1930’s, as a series of Lock and Dam systems were being implemented throughout the Upper Mississippi area, Lock and Dam No. 7
Lock and Dam No. 7
Lock and Dam No. 7 is a lock and dam located near Onalaska, Wisconsin on the Upper Mississippi River. It forms pool 7 and Lake Onalaska.The facility is located on Mississippi River mile 702.5 near La Crescent, Minnesota...
was built to dam the Black River
Black River (Wisconsin)
Black River is a river in west-central Wisconsin and tributary of the Mississippi River. The river is approximately 160 miles long. The river begins in central Wisconsin, rising in Taylor County at approximately west of the village of Rib Lake....
, creating the reservoir Lake Onalaska.
The name for Lake Onalaska is derived from the name of the village (now city) of Onalaska and the rural town of Onalaska
Onalaska (town), Wisconsin
Onalaska is a town in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,658 at the 2010 census. The City of Onalaska borders the town, as does the village of Holmen. The CDP of Brice Prairie is located in the western part of the Town of Onalaska...
, both of which border the shores of the lake. Lake Roosevelt and Lake Leisure were, at one time, both considered possible names for what is now known as Lake Onalaska.
Today
Lake Onalaska is a popular upper Mississippi destination that attracts visitors year round. Summer visitors enjoy a variety of activities from waterskiing, boating, windsurfing, fishing to beach picnics and bird-watching. The lake contains a variety of migratory waterfowl, and fish, including Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Walleye and Large and Smallmouth Bass.A sailing club is on the most northern tip of French Island, which is at the south end of the Lake.
In the fall, the bluffs surrounding the Mississippi River and Lake Onalaska explode into rich tones of reds and golds, drawing tourists from across the country.
In the winter, when the lake freezes over and the ice fishing season begins, Lake Onalaska is often dotted with dozens of tents.