Lake Mattoon is a 1,050-acre (4.2 km2) reservoir located in Coles County, Illinois, Cumberland County, Illinois, and Shelby County, Illinois. Almost three-quarters of the lake, 765 acres (3.10 km2), is located in Shelby County. The reservoir was built to supply tap water to Mattoon, Illinois and Neoga, but also provides fishing and boating recreation. The lake is 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) wide.[2]

Lake Mattoon
Location of Lake Mattoon in Illinois, USA.
Location of Lake Mattoon in Illinois, USA.
Lake Mattoon
Location of Lake Mattoon in Illinois, USA.
Location of Lake Mattoon in Illinois, USA.
Lake Mattoon
LocationColes County, Illinois; Cumberland County, Illinois; Shelby County, Illinois
Coordinates39°21′22″N 88°28′10″W / 39.3560975°N 88.4693852°W / 39.3560975; -88.4693852[1]
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsLittle Wabash River
Primary outflowsLittle Wabash River
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length4 mi (6.4 km)
Max. width0.5 mi (0.80 km)
Surface area1,050 acres (420 ha)
Average depth10.5 ft (3.2 m)
Max. depth35 ft (11 m)
Water volume2,600,000,000 US gal (0.0098 km3)
Shore length155.5 mi (89.3 km)
Surface elevation630 ft (192 m)[1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The lake is owned by the city of Mattoon. Boaters must buy a permit to use the lake. There is no power limit on the lake, which welcomes waterskiers. The lake is stocked with bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. The nearest Interstate access is Exit 177 on Interstate 57.[3][4]

A large Reliant Energy electricity generating plant stands adjacent to the lake.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lake Mattoon". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021.
  2. ^ Illinois Atlas and Gazetteer. Freeport, Maine: DeLorme Mapping. 1991. ISBN 0-89933-213-7.
  3. ^ "Lake Mattoon Map", Mattoon Chamber of Commerce (no date), accessed July 23, 2007. "Lake Mattoon Illinois - Chamber of Commerce". Archived from the original on 2007-06-11. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  4. ^ "Lake Mattoon", Illinois Department of Natural Resources, accessed July 23, 2007. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-08-15. Retrieved 2007-07-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)