Torch Lake is a lake in the Northern Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. At 19 miles (31 km) long, is Michigan's longest inland lake, and at approximately 29.3 mi2 (76 km2), it is Michigan's second largest inland lake, after Houghton Lake. It has a maximum depth of 310 feet (94 m) and an average depth of 111 feet (34 m), making it Michigan's deepest inland lake, as well as the state's largest by volume.[3]
Torch Lake was originally formed at the end of the Last Glacial Period, along with neighboring Lake Michigan. Receding glaciers carved the surface of the Earth, and melting glaciers filled the new basins, which are now known as the Great Lakes. Torch Lake (along with other long lakes in the region like Lake Leelanau and Elk Lake) were originally bays of the young Lake Michigan. However, sandbars formed at the northern end of these lakes, separating them from Lake Michigan.[4]
The name of the lake is not due to its shape, rather, is derived from translation from the Ojibwe name waaswaaganing meaning "Place of Torches" or "Place of Flames", referring to the practice of the local Native American population who once used torches at night to attract fish for harvesting with spears and nets (Lac du Flambeau in Wisconsin is named after the same Ojibwa term).[5] For a time, it was referred to by local European settlers as "Torch Light Lake", which eventually was shortened to its current name.
View of Torch Lake
GeographyEdit
Torch Lake is part of a watershed that begins in northern Antrim County with Six Mile Lake, which is connected by the Intermediate River with Lake Bellaire. The Grass River flows from Lake Bellaire into Clam Lake, which in turn drains into Torch Lake via the short Clam River. Torch Lake itself is drained by the Torch River, which flows into Lake Skegemog, which opens into Elk Lake. Elk Lake flows into the east arm of Grand Traverse Bay at Elk Rapids. This watershed is popularly known as the Chain of Lakes.
The lake itself is entirely within Antrim County. However, the southern shore of the lake serves as part of the actual border between Antrim and Kalkaska counties. The lake is located about 17 miles northeast of Traverse City.
ActivitiesEdit
The lake is known for nature activities including hiking, canoeing, fishing and diving. Owing to the low amount of boat activity, it is a nature-lovers paradise. Noted for its exceptional beauty; its waters are unusually clear and exhibit a bright turquoise hue, often resembling Caribbean waters. This quality has made the lake a popular spot for the development of resorts and second homes with notables including Taylor Swift, Oprah, Kid Rock and Eminem owning vacation homes on the lake.
At the south end of the lake is a sandbar, locally known as the Torch Lake Sandbar. This sandbar is a popular summer tourist destination, especially around the Fourth of July.[6] The popular location has been considered controversial by locals, due to boat traffic, and, in 2021, a COVID-19 outbreak among the Fourth of July partygoers.[7][8]
^"Torch Lake". Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
^"Ojibwe Culture – Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl". Retrieved 2022-01-28.
^Group, Michael Livingston Michigan News. "Fourth party returns to Torch Lake sandbar". Traverse City Record-Eagle. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
^Tanda Gmiter | tgmiter@mlive. com (2020-07-11). "Several people at massive Torch Lake July 4 party have tested positive for coronavirus". mlive. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
^Spelbring, Meredith. "Weekend party at Torch Lake sandbar leads to coronavirus outbreak". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Torch Lake (Antrim County, Michigan).
"Michigan DNR map of Torch Lake" (PDF). (241 KB)
Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay
August 25, 2023
torch, lake, antrim, county, michigan, this, article, about, lake, michigan, lower, peninsula, lake, michigan, upper, peninsula, torch, lake, houghton, county, michigan, torch, lake, lake, northern, lower, peninsula, state, michigan, miles, long, michigan, lon. This article is about the lake in Michigan s Lower Peninsula For the lake in Michigan s Upper Peninsula see Torch Lake Houghton County Michigan Torch Lake is a lake in the Northern Lower Peninsula of the U S state of Michigan At 19 miles 31 km long is Michigan s longest inland lake and at approximately 29 3 mi2 76 km2 it is Michigan s second largest inland lake after Houghton Lake It has a maximum depth of 310 feet 94 m and an average depth of 111 feet 34 m making it Michigan s deepest inland lake as well as the state s largest by volume 3 Torch LakeView from Torch Lake TownshipTorch LakeLocation within the state of MichiganLocationAntrim amp Kalkaska counties Michigan U S Coordinates44 59 00 N 85 18 30 W 44 98333 N 85 30833 W 44 98333 85 30833Etymologywaaswaaganing Ojibwe place of torches Primary inflowsClam RiverPrimary outflowsTorch RiverBasin countriesUnited StatesMax length19 miles 31 km Max width2 miles 3 2 km Surface area18 770 acres 7 600 ha Average depth111 ft 34 m Max depth285 ft 87 m 1 Water volume0 78 cu mi 3 3 km3 Surface elevation591 feet 180 m 2 IslandsNoneSettlementsAlden Eastport Clam River Torch Lake KewadinSurrounding it are several townships including Torch Lake Central Lake Forest Home Helena and Milton in Antrim County and Clearwater Township of neighboring Kalkaska County Several villages and hamlets lie along its shore including Alden Eastport Clam River Torch Lake and Torch River It is a popular lake for fishing featuring lake trout rock bass yellow perch smallmouth bass muskellunge pike ciscoes brown trout steelhead rainbow trout atlantic salmon and whitefish Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Activities 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditTorch Lake was originally formed at the end of the Last Glacial Period along with neighboring Lake Michigan Receding glaciers carved the surface of the Earth and melting glaciers filled the new basins which are now known as the Great Lakes Torch Lake along with other long lakes in the region like Lake Leelanau and Elk Lake were originally bays of the young Lake Michigan However sandbars formed at the northern end of these lakes separating them from Lake Michigan 4 The name of the lake is not due to its shape rather is derived from translation from the Ojibwe name waaswaaganing meaning Place of Torches or Place of Flames referring to the practice of the local Native American population who once used torches at night to attract fish for harvesting with spears and nets Lac du Flambeau in Wisconsin is named after the same Ojibwa term 5 For a time it was referred to by local European settlers as Torch Light Lake which eventually was shortened to its current name View of Torch LakeGeography EditTorch Lake is part of a watershed that begins in northern Antrim County with Six Mile Lake which is connected by the Intermediate River with Lake Bellaire The Grass River flows from Lake Bellaire into Clam Lake which in turn drains into Torch Lake via the short Clam River Torch Lake itself is drained by the Torch River which flows into Lake Skegemog which opens into Elk Lake Elk Lake flows into the east arm of Grand Traverse Bay at Elk Rapids This watershed is popularly known as the Chain of Lakes The lake itself is entirely within Antrim County However the southern shore of the lake serves as part of the actual border between Antrim and Kalkaska counties The lake is located about 17 miles northeast of Traverse City Activities EditThe lake is known for nature activities including hiking canoeing fishing and diving Owing to the low amount of boat activity it is a nature lovers paradise Noted for its exceptional beauty its waters are unusually clear and exhibit a bright turquoise hue often resembling Caribbean waters This quality has made the lake a popular spot for the development of resorts and second homes with notables including Taylor Swift Oprah Kid Rock and Eminem owning vacation homes on the lake At the south end of the lake is a sandbar locally known as the Torch Lake Sandbar This sandbar is a popular summer tourist destination especially around the Fourth of July 6 The popular location has been considered controversial by locals due to boat traffic and in 2021 a COVID 19 outbreak among the Fourth of July partygoers 7 8 See also EditList of lakes in MichiganReferences Edit Michigan s 20 Largest Lakes Michigan gov U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System Torch Lake Antrim County Michigan Michigan s 20 Largest Inland Lakes PDF Torch Lake Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Retrieved 2022 01 28 Ojibwe Culture Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Retrieved 2022 01 28 Group Michael Livingston Michigan News Fourth party returns to Torch Lake sandbar Traverse City Record Eagle Retrieved 2022 01 28 Tanda Gmiter tgmiter mlive com 2020 07 11 Several people at massive Torch Lake July 4 party have tested positive for coronavirus mlive Retrieved 2022 01 28 Spelbring Meredith Weekend party at Torch Lake sandbar leads to coronavirus outbreak Detroit Free Press Retrieved 2022 01 28 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Torch Lake Antrim County Michigan Michigan DNR map of Torch Lake PDF 241 KB Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Torch Lake Antrim County Michigan amp oldid 1169081188, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
