Glen Lake is a lake located in Northern Michigan. Located in the southwestern Leelanau Peninsula, the lake is directly adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and is, at its closest, about 0.94 miles (1.51 km) from Lake Michigan. The lake consists of two large bodies of water connected by a narrow channel, which is traversed by a causeway carrying the famous highway M-22. The body of water on the west of this causeway, which is far shallower and more elongated, is known as Little Glen Lake, and the body of water east of the causeway, which is nearly perfectly round and deeper, is known as Big Glen Lake.
| Glen Lake | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Little Glen Lake (foreground) and Big Glen Lake (background); note the M-22 causeway at the center-right. | |
  Glen Lake | |
| Location | Empire, Glen Arbor, and Kasson townships, Leelanau County, Michigan, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 44°52′N 85°57′W / 44.867°N 85.950°W |
| Primary inflows | Brooks Lake Outlet, Hatlem Creek |
| Primary outflows | Crystal River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 4,871 acres (19.71 km2) Big 1,415 acres (5.73 km2) Little 6,286 acres (25.44 km2) Combined |
| Max. depth | 130 ft (40 m) Big 13 ft (4 m) Little |
| Surface elevation | 594 feet (181 m)[1] |
| Settlements | Burdickville, Glen Arbor |
The total area of Glen Lake is 6,286 acres (25 km2), with a maximum depth 130 feet (40 m). The lake empties into Lake Michigan via the shallow Crystal River which winds through Glen Arbor.
History
editThe area around Glen Lake was first settled by the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi peoples, all members of the Council of Three Fires.[2] Since the foundation of nearby Glen Arbor in 1847, Glen Lake and the surrounding area had become very popular with tourists. In 1971, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was created adjacent to the lake to protect the natural beauty of the area.[3]
Geography
editThe lake is situated within the rolling hills and glens of Leelanau County, terrain that is relatively rare for Northwestern Michigan. However, this terrain is natural to the wooded sand hills of the neighboring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. From this terrain is where the lake derives its name.
The lake is divided east–west by a north–south causeway carrying the highway M-22.
Glen Lake is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the Great Lakes region.[citation needed] Its waters, filtered by the underlying and surrounding sands, are remarkably clear and pure, and glow with an iridescent indigo blue.[4] Its beauty, purity, and lack of large waves make it a popular lake for vacationers, with opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. Sportfish include yellow perch, smallmouth bass, northern pike, brown trout, and lake trout.[5]
See also
editExternal links
edit
- "Michigan DNR map of Glen Lake" (PDF). (242 KiB)
References
edit- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Glen Lake
- ^ "Area History". www.sleepingbeardunes.com. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ "History". Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ "Glen Lake". www.sleepingbeardunes.com. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ "Fishing / Boating". Empire Chamber. Retrieved 2022-11-02.