Lake Thompson (South Dakota)
Lake Thompson | |
---|---|
Location | Kingsbury and Miner counties, South Dakota[1] |
Coordinates | 44°17′06″N 97°27′43″W / 44.28500°N 97.46194°WCoordinates: 44°17′06″N 97°27′43″W / 44.28500°N 97.46194°W |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 16,236 acres (65.70 km2)[2] |
Max. depth | 26 ft (7.9 m)[2] |
Shore length1 | 44.6 miles (71.8 km)[2] |
Surface elevation | 1,667 feet (508 m) |
Designated | 1975 |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Lake Thompson is a lake in Kingsbury County, South Dakota, United States. With an area of 16,236 acres (65.70 km2),[2] it is one of the largest natural lakes in South Dakota. The maximum depth of the lake is 26 ft (7.9 m), and the shoreline has a length of 44.6 miles (71.8 km).[2] The lake is located in east-central South Dakota, on the Coteau des Prairies and is within the watershed of the Vermillion River.
Lake Thompson's size is highly variable. It was completely dry during the 1930s.[3] By the early 1990s, it had grown to cover (at times) 20,000 acres (81 km2), becoming the largest natural lake in the state.[4]
The lake is the location of a state recreation area managed by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks which includes camping facilities.[3] Several boat launches are also located on the lake.[3] A popular destination for anglers, game fish in the lake include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and sunfish.[3] Common carp and black bullheads are also present.[2]
The area is an important habitat for fish and waterfowl, and Lake Thompson has been named a National Natural Landmark.[3]
Lake Thompson has the name of John Thompson, an early settler.[5] Lake Thompson is near De Smet, one of the residences of author Laura Ingalls Wilder, and appears in several of her novels as "Twin Lakes".[3]
See also
References
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Thompson (South Dakota)
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "South Dakota Statewide Fisheries Survey" (PDF). South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. 2014. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lake Thompson Recreation Area". South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
- ↑ "Eastern South Dakota Wetlands" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
- ↑ Federal Writers' Project (1940). South Dakota place-names, v.2. University of South Dakota. p. 75.