West Okoboji Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = West Okoboji Lake
image_lake = Sailing West Lake Okoboji IA (476317210).jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Dickinson County, Iowa
coords = coord|43|23|04|N|095|09|34|W|region:US_type:waterbody_source:gnis|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =
catchment = 125 sq mi (324 km²)
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = 3,847 acres (15.57 km²)
depth = 39 ft (12 m)
max-depth = 136 ft (41 m)
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands = 0
cities = Arnolds Park
frozen =

West Okoboji Lake is a natural body of water, approximately convert|3847|acre|km2 in area, in Dickinson County in northwest Iowa in the United States. It is part of the chain of lakes known as the Iowa Great Lakes. The cities of Arnolds Park, Okoboji, West Okoboji, and Wahpeton sit on its shore. The Dakotah Indian name for the lake was Minnetonka, meaning "great waters".

Its maximum depth is convert|136|ft, making it the deepest lake in Iowa and second in size only to Spirit Lake. The mean depth is convert|39|ft. The drainage area of the lake is approximately convert|125|sqmi. [ [http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2007/pdfs/06604200.2007.pdf Site: 06604200, WY: 2007 ] ]

Geology

Geologically, the lake, like its neighbors, is a glacial pothole, a remnant of the most recent ice age approximately 13,000 years ago.

Recreation

West Okoboji is often considered to be one of three blue water lakes in the world. The other two are Lake Geneva in Switzerland and Lake Louise in Canada.

The depth of the lake makes it a popular regional destination for motor boating, water skiing, sailing, and swimming. The lake is also a popular fishing destination in the region. The main catches in the lake are yellow perch, bluegill, and walleye. It also contains significant populations of smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, crappie and white bass, black bass.

References

External links

* [http://www.IowaGreatLakes.net Iowa Great Lakes Region]
* [http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/fishing/lakes/wok30s.html Iowa Department of Natural Resources site] on East Okoboji Lake
* [http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu/publications/lake_report01/WestOkobojiLake/WestOkobojiLake.htm University of Iowa site] on West Okoboji Lake chemistry
* [http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/uv?dd_cd=14&format=gif&period=31&site_no=06604200 U.S. Geological Survey site] on West Okoboji Lake current temperature
*Gnis|462893