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°W / 44.28500; -97.46194Coordinates: 44°17′06″N 97°27′43″W / 44.28500°N 97.46194°W / 44.28500; -97.46194
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

  1. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Thompson (South Dakota)
  2. 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.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lake Thompson Recreation Area". South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  4. ↑ "Eastern South Dakota Wetlands" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  5. ↑ Federal Writers' Project (1940). South Dakota place-names, v.2. University of South Dakota. p. 75.


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