Torch Lake (Houghton County, Michigan)
The village of Lake Linden at the north end of the lake was once the site of the largest copper milling operation in North America. About 200 million short tons (180×10 t) of copper mill stamp sands were dumped into Torch Lake itself, filling about 20 percent of the lake's volume. The Environmental Protection Agency believes the contaminated sediments to be 70 feet (21 m) thick in some areas, and surface sediments contain up to 2,000 parts per million (ppm) of copper.
The lake is about five miles (8.0 km) east-northeast of Houghton and is approximately six miles (9.7 km) long and 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) wide at 47°09′N 88°25′W / 47.150°N 88.417°W. The lake has a total surface area of 2,659 acres (11 km), and a maximum depth of 120 feet (37 m). A channel drains from the lake south into Torch Bay, which opens into Portage Lake.
See also
External links
- Torch Lake (Houghton County) Superfund Site information from the EPA
- Torch Lake (Houghton County) Area of Concern information from the EPA
References
Further reading
- Scott, I.D. (1921) Inland Lakes of Michigan Michigan Geological Society.