Lake Itasca
Lake Itasca is a glacial lake found in north Minnesota. It is the primary source for the Mississippi River. Although the river has tributaries which contribute a large volume of water to it, none are as dramatic as the lake's. Many science experiments are carried out here because of the lake's surrounding ecology and geography.
| Lake Itasca | |
|---|---|
The primary source of the Mississippi River on the edge of Lake Itasca | |
| Location | Itasca State Park, Clearwater County, Minnesota, US |
| Type | Glacial |
| Native name | Omashkoozo-zaaga'igan (Ojibwe) |
| Primary inflows | Nicolet Creek, Elk Lake outlet stream |
| Primary outflows | Mississippi River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2) |
| Average depth | 20–35 ft (6–11 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,475 ft (450 m) |
| Islands | Schoolcraft Island |