Higgins Lake

For other places with the same name, see Higgins Lake (disambiguation).
Higgins Lake

from South State park beach
Location Roscommon County, Michigan,
United States
Coordinates 44°28′56″N 84°42′31″W / 44.48230°N 84.70871°W / 44.48230; -84.70871Coordinates: 44°28′56″N 84°42′31″W / 44.48230°N 84.70871°W / 44.48230; -84.70871
Primary inflows Springs, precipitation, streams, Big Creek
Primary outflows Cut River/Lake Marl
Catchment area 19,000 acres (7,700 ha)
Basin countries United States
Max. length 7 mi (11 km)
Max. width 4 mi (6.4 km)
Surface area 9,900 acres (4,000 ha)
Average depth 44 ft (13 m)
Max. depth 135 ft (41 m)
Residence time 12.5 years
Surface elevation 1,155 feet (352 m)[1]

Higgins Lake is a large recreational and fishing lake in Roscommon County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 9,900 acre (40 km²) lake is known for its deep, clear waters and is the 10th largest in Michigan with a shoreline of 21 miles (34 km). It is named after Sylvester Higgins, the first chief of the topographical department of the Michigan Geological Survey. It has a maximum width of 4 miles (6.4 km) and a length of 7 miles (11 km) with a maximum depth of 135 feet (41 m). The mean depth is 44 feet (13 m) and the lake contains almost 20 billion cubic feet (570 million m³) of water. Its retention time is about 12.5 years. The lake's watershed covers 19,000 acres (77 km²). The twin-lobed lake receives half of its water from submerged springs, six percent from incoming streams, and the remainder from direct rainfall and runoff. It drains into Marl Lake by the Cut River which runs into Houghton Lake and eventually to Lake Michigan. A mile north of the lake, water flows into the Lake Huron watershed.

Sportfish in the lake include yellow perch, trout, smelt and pike. Fish are taken both in open water and by ice fishing. Higgins Lake is considered a morphometrically oligotrophic lake, meaning that its large size causes it to appear and function as a nutrient-poor lake although it receives a fair amount of nutrients.

Higgins Lake is also the name of the post office for the area, with ZIP code 48627. This ZIP code includes several other small communities and locales along the shores of the lake, including (moving counter-clockwise around the lake) Hillcrest, Lyon Manor, Detroit Park, Cook Corner, Sharps Corner, Almeda Beach, Oak Grove, Ritz Corner, Pine Bluffs, Daytona-on-the-Lake and Cottage Grove. Since all have Higgins Lake as a postal address, they are often all considered as part of the Higgins Lake community. The lake is situated on the boundary between Lyon Township on the west and Gerrish Township on the east.

There are two state parks, located on opposite ends of the lake: South Higgins Lake State Park, which has a mile of shoreline, and North Higgins Lake State Park. Both provide public boat launches and camping, and are very popular in the summer months. The south park is older, larger, and more developed. The north park is located on what was once the world's largest seedling nursery, a part of the CCC of the 1930s.

Centuries before European settlers came to North America, the Chippewa people called the lake Majinabeesh, which means "sparkling water".

Environmental concerns

In recent years, the lake has become increasingly popular as a residential and recreational area, which has raised concern for the lake water quality.[2] Citizens and local government believe the lake suffers harm from increased loads of nutrients, including phosphorus and nitrogen, from septic systems, fertilizers, and runoff from roads.[2]

The most obvious change has been the introduction of zebra mussels. Zebra mussels, which have no known predators in U.S. waters, threaten the existence of native clams[3] and result in more vegetation growing on the bottom of the lake.

Residents at Higgins Lake have begun actively lobbying for laws to enforce cleaning of boats before they can be put into the lake as well as programs to try to combat other foreign pests and intruders to preserve the lake's natural ecology.

See also

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Higgins Lake
  2. 1 2 Minnerick, Russel J. (2001). Effects of Residential Development on the Water Quality of Higgins Lake, Michigan, 1995-99, p. 1. U.S. Geological Survey.
  3. ↑ Huta, Leda & Kuether, Greg. "Dangerous Strangers: How Rogue Species Threaten Our Endangered Species." In Weber, Karl (ed.) (2010). Cane Toads and Other Rogue Species, p. 63. PublicAffairs.
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