Glen Lake is a lake located in Northern Michigan. Located in the southwestern Leelanau Peninsula, the lake is directly adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and is, at its closed, about 0.94 miles (1.51 km) from Lake Michigan. The lake consists of two large bodies of water connected by a narrow channel, which is traversed by a causeway carrying the famous highway M-22. The body of water on the west of this causeway, which is far shallower and more elongated, is known as Little Glen Lake, and the body of water east of the causeway, which is nearly perfectly round and deeper, is known as Big Glen Lake.

Glen Lake
Little Glen Lake (foreground) and Big Glen Lake (background); note the M-22 causeway at the center-right.
Glen Lake
Location	Michigan
Coordinates	44°52′N 85°57′W
Primary inflows	Brooks Lake Outlet, Hatlem Creek
Primary outflows	Crystal River
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	4,871 acres (19.71 km2) Big 1,415 acres (5.73 km2) Little 6,286 acres (25.44 km2) Combined
Max. depth	130 ft (40 m) Big 13 ft (4 m) Little
Surface elevation	594 feet (181 m)[1]
Settlements	Burdickville, Glen Arbor

The total area of Glen Lake is 6,286 acres (25 km²), with a maximum depth 130 feet (40 m). The lake empties into Lake Michigan via the shallow Crystal River which winds through Glen Arbor.

History

The area around Glen Lake was first settled by the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi peoples, all members of the Council of Three Fires.[2] Since the foundation of nearby Glen Arbor in 1847, Glen Lake and the surrounding area had become very popular with tourists. In 1971, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was created adjacent to the lake to protect the natural beauty of the area.[3]

Geography

The lake is situated within the rolling hills and glens of Leelanau County, terrain that is relatively rare for Northwestern Michigan. However, this terrain is natural to the wooded sand hills of the neighboring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. From this terrain is where the lake derives its name.

Glen Lake is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the Great Lakes region.^{[citation needed]} Its waters, filtered by the underlying and surrounding sands, are remarkably clear and pure, and glow with an iridescent indigo blue.[4] Its beauty, purity, and lack of large waves make it a popular lake for vacationers, with opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. Sportfish include yellow perch, smallmouth bass, northern pike, brown trout, and lake trout.[5]

See also

• Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
• List of lakes in Michigan

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Glen Lake.

• "Michigan DNR map of Glen Lake" (PDF). (242 KiB)

References