LAKE GEOGRAPHY:

The main body of the lake stretches for about 6 miles north of the dam, but the water remains deep enough for small boat

navigation up past the town of Edenville, Michigan, which is ten miles north of the dam.

At its widest point the lake is slightly over half a mile. A survey by the Michigan DNR measured the main body of the lake at 1250 acres. While Sanford Lake is not a tourist attraction, it is a popular recreation spot for the county. On the west side of the lake near the dam, Midland County maintains a park with boat ramps and a beach area. The shoreline is mostly developed with single family homes. There is one small marina on the lake, but there is no public boat mooring available anywhere on the lake.

 water quality and depth:

The water quality of the lake is good. As a reservoir with a predominantly muddy bottom turbidity is a bit higher than the average natural lake in Michigan. The introduction of Zebra mussels in the 1990’s has significantly improved water clarity, but this has lead to an explosion of weed growth throughout the shallow portions of the lake. Fertilizers from the surrounding homes and agricultural areas have undoubtedly contributed to this growth. The invasive species known as Asian  Milfoil has become a problem on the lake and has been  controlled by  the use of a aquatic herbicide and harvesting since 2003.  ( go to this link for more information : Sanford Lake Board  The  lake is relatively shallow in most areas, with deeper areas mostly located in the actual river channel within the lake. It's maximum depth is 26 feet at points near the southern most areas of the lake. The average depth is 9.3 feet.

ADDITIONAL STATS:

Lake Surface area:                    1,489 acres

Lake Volume:                            13,899 Acre - Feet

Shoreline Length:                     34.5 Miles          

Lake Elevation:                          631 Feet

Immediate Watershed Area:   20,971 Acres

Extended Watershed Area:     2000 Square Miles ( Approx.)

Minimum Continual Flow Rate Through Dam:    210 ft³ / Second

FISH FOUND IN SANFORD LAKE:

The following is a list of fish that have been caught in the lake by  the president of the Sanford Lake Association, Jeff Menz: ( Obviously an avid fisherman! )

1) Largemouth Bass   2) Smallmouth Bass    3) Crappie    4) Bluegill     5) White Bass     6) Northern   Pike    7) Carp    8) Bullhead   

9) Channel Cat    10) Yellow Perch    11) Walleye    12) Bowfin    13) Rock Bass    14) Sunfish    16) White Sucker    17) Northern Musky

        ~ Jeff catching dinner ~                                      ~ Sanford Dam area ~                     ~ The fishing platform in the Winter ~

The lake is well - known for Musky fishing  ( including spearing in the Winter) , which the Michigan D.N.R. planted in the lake some 20 years ago. Also Crappie / Sunfish/ Bluegill fishing is plentiful. The village of Sanford has a fishing platform within the village limits on the southern edge of the lake near the dam.  Another popular fishing spot is at the Sanford dam , on the Tittabawassee River.

OTHER  ACTIVITIES:

Sanford Lake is an all - sports lake and usually has a moderate amount of boat traffic found on it. On any warm, Summer day pleasure boats, Pontoon boats and jet - skis will be found on the lake. Tubing and skiing are also common, especially on the south end of the lake near the  Sanford Lake Park.

                ~ Boats on the lake ~                          ~ At the Sanford Lake Park beach ~                    ~Playing on a jet - ski ~