Big Lake (Missouri)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2023) |
| Big Lake | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Big Lake  Big Lake | |
| Location | Holt County, Missouri |
| Coordinates | 40°04′21″N 95°20′42″W / 40.07250°N 95.34500°W |
| Type | oxbow lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 646 acres (2.6 km2) |
| Max. depth | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Surface elevation | 850 ft (259 m)[1] |
Big Lake is a 646-acre (2.6 km2) oxbow lake in Holt County, Missouri near Big Lake, Missouri, USA.
It is believed to have been formed from the Missouri River some time before the Lewis and Clark Expedition visited the area in 1804. It is the largest oxbow lake in the state of Missouri.
Big Lake State Park, a 407-acre (1.6 km2) state park, was established on the lake's northeast side in 1932. The State Park includes the largest marsh in a state park in Missouri. The remaining two-thirds of the lake shore is occupied by privately owned cabins and residences. The lake is very shallow (usually only five feet) in most areas. Residents say one can walk across the lake if one is careful. The only known major deep spot in the lake is under the railroad trussel at the south side of the lake. This spot is almost 30 feet (9.1 m) deep. The majority of the lake's fish reside here in winter.