Lake Petenwell is an artificial lake on the Wisconsin River in central Wisconsin. It is located in Adams, Juneau, and Wood counties next to Castle Rock Lake. It covers over 23,000 acres (93 km2) and is 42 feet (13 m) deep.

Petenwell Lake
Dam which forms Lake Petenwell
Location of Petenwell Lake in Wisconsin, USA.
Location of Petenwell Lake in Wisconsin, USA.
Petenwell Lake
Location of Petenwell Lake in Wisconsin, USA.
Location of Petenwell Lake in Wisconsin, USA.
Petenwell Lake
LocationAdams / Juneau / Wood counties, Wisconsin, US
Coordinates44°08′06″N 89°58′16″W / 44.134969°N 89.971062°W / 44.134969; -89.971062
Typeartificial lake
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area23,000 acres (9,300 ha)
Max. depth42 ft (13 m)

Lake Petenwell is Wisconsin's second largest lake at 23,040 acres (93.2 km2) or approximately 36 square miles (93 km2). It was created in 1948 by the Wisconsin River Power Company with the construction of a dam across the Wisconsin River near Necedah.[1] It has a maximum depth of 42 feet (13 m) and is used for water skiing, sailing and fishing. Private lakefront property is very limited as most of the virgin shoreline is undeveloped forest. Wildlife includes wintering bald eagles. Game fish include walleye, northern pike, bass, panfish, and muskellunge.

The area around the lake has restaurants, a community theater, a golf course and two casinos.

In 1973, the Juneau County extension resource agent submitted a letter on behalf of the County Industrial-Recreation, and Agriculture and Education Committees to the Wisconsin Power and Light Company requesting a nuclear power plant be constructed near the lake.[2]

Petenwell Lake and dam

Algae

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Blue-green algae was reported in the lake in 2013.[3] In 2019, Adams County website stated that the beaches were not closed due to algae, and that the situation was being monitored.

References

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  1. ^ Petenwell Lake (Petenwell Dam)
  2. ^ Jaeger, Richard W. (February 15, 1973). "Juneau Officials Seek A-Plant". The Wisconsin State Journal. pp. Section 4, Page 1.
  3. ^ Marshall, Jessica (18 September 2012), "Blue-Green Algae: Iridescent but Deadly", The Atlantic, retrieved 17 August 2013
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