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Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County, Illinois)

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Coordinates: 37°08′56″N 089°21′18″W / 37.14889°N 89.35500°W / 37.14889; -89.35500 (Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County))
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Horseshoe Lake
Location of Horseshoe Lake in Illinois, USA.
Location of Horseshoe Lake in Illinois, USA.
Horseshoe Lake
Location of Horseshoe Lake in Illinois, USA.
Location of Horseshoe Lake in Illinois, USA.
Horseshoe Lake
LocationAlexander County, Illinois, U.S.
Coordinates37°08′56″N 089°21′18″W / 37.14889°N 89.35500°W / 37.14889; -89.35500 (Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County))
TypeOxbow lake
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area2,007 acres (812 ha)
Average depth4 feet (1.2 m)
Max. depth5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m)
Shore length120 miles (32 km)
Surface elevation322 ft (98 m)
Designated1972
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Horseshoe Lake is a 2,007 acres (812 ha) natural oxbow lake in Alexander County, Illinois.[1] It is the site of Illinois's Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, a state park 10,645 acres (43 km2) in size. It has a 20 miles (32 km) shoreline and a depth of 4 ft (1.2 m), with a maximum depth of 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m).[2][3] A remnant of a large meander of the Mississippi River, it is today a shallow, isolated patch of water located near Cairo and the southern tip of Illinois.[1] In 1972, the Horseshoe Lake Nature Preserve was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.[4]

The Alexander County lake has major problems with siltation.[1] During the Great Flood of 1993 the river tried to shift back to the Horseshoe Lake meander, but returned to its modern channel after the flood subsided. Much of the lake resembles a swamp or bayou. This is one of the northernmost parts of the natural ranges of the Bald cypress and Tupelo trees, which are found on the shoreline of the lake. Another tree found here is the swamp cottonwood. There is a good growth of the flowering American lotus.

Other northern stands of Bald Cypress occur in southern Maryland and Delaware. These are some of the most northerly occurrences of the Bald Cypress trees. The site in Maryland, Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, is more than one degree further north.[5][6] This information does not relate to the Tupelo tree.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Bogner, William C.; Fitzpatrick, William P.; Blakley, Donald S. (1985-06-01). "SEDIMENTATION RATES IN HORSESHOE LAKE, ALEXANDER COUNTY, ILLINOIS" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  2. ^ "About Horseshoe Lake Alexander County". dnr.illinois.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  3. ^ "Lake Profile -- HORSESHOE LAKE - ALEXANDER". www.ifishillinois.org. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  4. ^ "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2019-03-21. Year designated: 1972
  5. ^ "Maryland Natural Areas: Battle Creek Cypress Swamp". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Trap Pond State Park: Bald Cypress Grove". NPS Trap Pond State Park. National Park Service. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
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37°08′56″N 089°21′18″W / 37.14889°N 89.35500°W / 37.14889; -89.35500 (Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County))



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