Wazee Lake, Former quarry lake in Jackson County, Wisconsin, US
Wazee Lake is a former open-pit mine in Jackson County, Wisconsin, that filled with water after mining operations ended and is now part of a recreation area. The lake is known for its remarkable depth and water clarity, which draw swimmers, divers, and anglers throughout the warmer months.
The lake formed after a taconite mining operation shut down in 1983 and the pumps that had kept the pit dry were turned off, allowing groundwater to slowly fill the basin. What had been an active industrial site gradually became one of the deepest lakes in Wisconsin.
The name Wazee comes from the Ho-Chunk language and means tall pine, pointing to the Indigenous people who lived in this part of Wisconsin long before the quarry existed. Visitors walking the shore can still see tall pines framing the water on several sides.
The recreation area has rustic campsites, hiking trails, and a fishing pier that is accessible for people with mobility needs. Divers should plan ahead since entry points are limited and some areas of the lake are better reached at certain times of year.
Below the surface, old mining roads and structures from the quarry years are still in place and have become popular dive sites that attract underwater explorers from across the region. Artificial fish structures were later added to support both cold and warm water species, making the lake home to an unusually wide range of fish.
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