| Lake of Egypt | |
| Image Bathymetry: | Lake of Egypt.PNG |
| Caption Bathymetry: | Map - the lake's irregular shape reveals its origins as a dammed river amidst hilly terrain. |
| Coords: | 37.625°N -88.9583°W |
| Basin Countries: | United States |
| Depth: | 18feet |
| Max-Depth: | 52feet |
| Shore: | 90miles |
| Pushpin Map: | Illinois#USA |
| Pushpin Label Position: | top |
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location of Lake of Egypt in Illinois, USA. |
Lake of Egypt is a reservoir in the Little Egypt region of the U.S. state of Illinois. It is located six miles (10 km) south of Marion, Illinois and covers 2,300 acres (9 km²) with of shoreline. The lake has an average depth of with a maximum depth of . The lake is owned by the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC), who created the impoundment in 1962, by damming the South fork of the Saline River, to supply cooling water for a coal-burning electric power plant.[1]
As a privately owned lake, it is subject to regulation by its owners and the state. Terms of use from the SIPC are in the "Official Lake of Egypt Rules and Regulations". Public access is allowed as are all size boat motors. Waterskiing and jet skis are also permitted in most of the lake. Fishing includes Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, and Crappie. Camping at the lake is allowed at Buck Ridge Campground, part of the Shawnee National Forest. Each neighborhood on the lake has individual subdivisions (list of Lake of Egypt subdivisions) as well as the non-for-profit Lake of Egypt Association of Property Owners (LEAPO)
Lake of Egypt was founded by Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC) to supply cooling water to their newly constructed coal burning power plant. The lake was created in 1962 by damming the south fork of the Saline River.[2] The name was chosen from the nickname "Little Egypt" of Southern Illinois.[3]
There are currently three marinas serving Lake of Egypt:[4]