Lake Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Lake Wisconsin is a reservoir
on the Wisconsin River
in southern Wisconsin
in the United States
. It is located in Columbia
and Sauk
counties, approximately 5 mi (8 km) southeast of Baraboo
and 25 mi (40 km) NNW of Madison
. Today it is home to the Wisconsin wine
appellation
of the Lake Wisconsin AVA
.
It was formed by the construction of a dam at Prairie du Sac
, which was begun in 1915 and completed in 1924. It is part of the Wisconsin River system of reservoirs. The lake has a maximum depth of 40 ft (12 m). It has a shoreline of 57 mi (90 km) and an area of 9500 acres (38 km²).
Its construction effectively ended the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway
connection to the Mississippi River
, although commercial traffic had ended decades before completion of the dam.
The lake provides flood
control and is a popular destination for recreational boating and fishing.
The Merrimac Ferry
crosses the lake at Merrimac, Wisconsin
.
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...
on the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
in southern 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located in Columbia
Columbia County, Wisconsin
-Unincorporated communities:*Anacker*Belle Fountain*Durwards Glen*East Friesland*Harmony Grove*Ingle*Keyeser*Lake Wisconsin*Leeds*Lowville*Marcellon*North Leeds*Okee*Otsego-External links:***...
and Sauk
Sauk County, Wisconsin
Sauk County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 55,225. Its county seat and largest city is Baraboo. Sauk County is included in the Baraboo Micropolitan Statistical Area and in the Madison Combined Statistical Area....
counties, approximately 5 mi (8 km) southeast of Baraboo
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Baraboo is the largest city in, and the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA. It is situated on the Baraboo River. Its 2010 population was 12,048 according to the US Census Bureau...
and 25 mi (40 km) NNW of Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. Today it is home to the Wisconsin wine
Wisconsin wine
Wisconsin wine refers to wine made from grapes grown in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The first wine grapes were planted in Wisconsin by Agoston Haraszthy in the mid-nineteenth century, before he emigrated to California and helped to found wine industry there. As have others since, Haraszthy found...
appellation
Appellation
An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown; other types of food often have appellations as well...
of the Lake Wisconsin AVA
Lake Wisconsin AVA
The Lake Wisconsin AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in south central Wisconsin. The wine growing region borders both Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River. The first grapes were planted in the area by Agoston Haraszthy in 1847, before he would later emigrate to California. Most...
.
It was formed by the construction of a dam at Prairie du Sac
Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Prairie du Sac is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,231 at the 2000 census. The village is surrounded by the Town of Prairie du Sac, the Wisconsin River, and the village of Sauk City; together, Prairie du Sac and Sauk City are referred to as Sauk...
, which was begun in 1915 and completed in 1924. It is part of the Wisconsin River system of reservoirs. The lake has a maximum depth of 40 ft (12 m). It has a shoreline of 57 mi (90 km) and an area of 9500 acres (38 km²).
Its construction effectively ended the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway
Fox-Wisconsin Waterway
The Fox–Wisconsin Waterway is a waterway formed by the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. First used by European settlers in 1673 during the expedition of Marquette & Joliet, it was one of the principal routes used by travelers between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River until the completion of the...
connection to 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...
, although commercial traffic had ended decades before completion of the dam.
The lake provides flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
control and is a popular destination for recreational boating and fishing.
The Merrimac Ferry
Merrimac Ferry
The Merrimac Ferry is a ferry that crosses the Wisconsin River between Columbia and Sauk Counties in Wisconsin. Its western point is located near the village of Merrimac on State Highway 113. The eastern point is located in Okee, Wisconsin....
crosses the lake at Merrimac, Wisconsin
Merrimac, Wisconsin
Merrimac is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States northwest of Madison. The population was 416 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Merrimac....
.