Silver Lake (Grand Traverse County, Michigan)

Silver Lake
Lake Kratochvil
Raspberry Island from the western shore of Silver Lake
Location Grand Traverse County, Michigan (Garfield Township & Blair Township)
Coordinates 44°41′44″N 85°41′08″W / 44.695508°N 85.685679°W / 44.695508; -85.685679
Etymology Named after H.D. Silverdale
Primary inflows Hidden Lake, Stafford's Brook
Primary outflows East Branch Beitner Creek, Cox Pond
Max. length 3.45 mi (5.5 km)
Max. width 2,607 ft (794.6 m)
Surface area 600 acres (242 ha)
Average depth 23.4 ft (7.1 m)
Max. depth 96.0 ft (29.2 m)
Surface elevation 863 feet (263 m)[1]
Islands Anderson Island, Raspberry Island, Mud Island (or Gull Island), Canfield Island, Basketweave Island, Tent Island, Parshall Island
Settlements Kratochvil's Plat (Ghost Town)

Silver Lake is a lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It is 3.45 mi (5.5 km) from the northern to southern ends, making its length-to-width ratio roughly 1:6. The lake is known for its pine coasts, irregular shoreline, and many peninsulas and islands, despite being smaller in size.[2] Its maximum depth is 96.0 feet, making it the 2nd deepest lake in Grand Traverse County.

Today, houses and parks surround the lake. Many larger houses have been built around the northern and eastern shores of the lake.

History and Geography

The lake is named after Mrs. H.D. Silverdale, who had a plot of land at the southwest end of the lake in 1908.[3] Before this, it was originally named Lake Kratochvil, after the small nearby town called Kratochvil's Plat (which is now a ghost town), itself named after Frank Kratochvil, a local settler.[4] Frank's daughter, Anna, was the mother of W.D.C. Germaine, mayor of nearby Traverse City.

Until sometime in the early 1900s, Blair Township was apparently known as "Silver Lake Township"[5]

In 1965, the Silver Lake Improvement Association was established to promote the care and preservation of Silver Lake.[6]

In 1987, the Grand Traverse County Drain Commission installed a high water outflow dam, which was at the beginning of Beitner Creek.

The largest nearby towns are Grawn, Chums Corner, and Traverse City. Its water flows in from the north end of the lake and out of the south end. The water flows through the dam and into the Silver Lake Outlet and Beitner Creek (the outflow of nearby Bass Lake), through Blair Township, and into the Boardman River and out to Lake Michigan.

Fishing and Recreation

Silver Lake is a local hotspot for fishing. It is known for its Bass, Bluegill, Perch, Pike, Lake sunfish, and Walleye. There is a public dock used for launching boats on the eastern shore of the lake. The Silver Lake Recreation Area is a park for people of all ages, and is located northeast of the lake.[7] Holiday Park Campground is a large public campground on the southern end of the lake, just off of US 31. It has boat access and has camping lots on Tent Island, which it owns as property. Annually, there are regattas and fishing competitions on the lake.

The lake is popular in winter with ice fishers.

See also

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Silver Lake (Grand Traverse County, Michigan)
  2. ↑ "Silver Lake, Michigan, USA Vacation Info - Lakelubbers". Lakelubbers. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  3. ↑ LLC., Historic Map Works. "Blair Township, Atlas: Grand Traverse County 1908, Michigan Historical Map". www.historicmapworks.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  4. ↑ LLC., Historic Map Works. "Acme, Lakeside Resort, Summit City, Williamsburg, Walton, Kratochvil's Plat, Blackwood, Atlas: Grand Traverse County 1908, Michigan Historical Map". www.historicmapworks.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  5. ↑ "(Map of Grand Traverse County, Michigan) / Walling, H. F. / 1873". www.davidrumsey.com. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  6. ↑ "Silver Lake Improvement Association". www.silverlakeimprovement.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  7. ↑ "Silver Lake Recreation Area". www.garfield-twp.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
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