Introduction

Lake Monroe is a place of stress release and a place of freedom and multiple activities to do. Ranging from fishing on the lake to relaxing to simply taking in the scenery, Lake Monroe is a place one would go to do these things. From the multiple experiences of going there it is a well known place for family gatherings mainly, it does bring about new comers every so often, but it brings about the locals mainly because it is a well known location within Indiana.

A view of the lake from one of its many shores.

Activities include fishing,water skiing, tubing,wake-boarding, and the traditional camping and cookouts.
Another activity for the older group consists of the party boats. Usually when there is a party boat, it is parked in the cove and college students, adults, or anyone above the age of twenty indulges in the occasional drinking, loud music, and other adult activities. One thing though is though they are partying on the boat, it does harm the ecosystem within the lake, mainly because of the trash left behind.

Examples of some things visitors take part in while at Lake Monroe

The ecosystem within Lake Monroe consists of exotic animals ranging from normal small lake fish in the lake to larger animals that live around the lake, such as deer. The issue with the older crowd coming to Lake Monroe is that they can be hindering to the lake's ecosystem. Which is why for most, they have to be mindful of the lakes ecosystem. Still, it is a place of rest and relaxation.

Location

Lake Monroe is located in Indiana, near the city of Bloomington. It lies in the three counties of Monroe, Brown, and Jackson Counties in Indiana's southern half.

A Google Maps image of Lake Monroe and its surrounding areas.

Lake Monroe also has a couple of interesting geologic features. These include ridges, faults, anticlines, and synclines. These features have developed here over millions of years due to the water that cycles through the lake and its canyons.

A map of Lake Monroe showing various geologic features in its immediate surrounding area.

History

        Lake Monroe has been a part of Indiana's history since the early 1800s, when the land was purchased from both the Miami and Delaware tribes from Harrison's Purchase in 1809. In 1960, construction began on a dam in order to help reduce possible flood damages. The project ended in 1965 and had cost about $17 million, but has prevented an estimated $40 million in flood damages. Since the end of the project, Lake Monroe has been open to the public as a tourist attraction for the area.

Two views of the dam built on Lake Monroe from 1960 to 1965.

Wildlife

Lake Monroe has a wide variety of natural wildlife living in its vicinity. These include water fowls, turtles, amphibians, various types of non-water birds including eagles and herons, deer in the surrounding forests, and numerous different species of fish. The tourists who visit Lake Monroe also bring their own animals with them, namely dogs. Overall, Lake Monroe has an incredibly diverse ecosystem with many different kinds of flora and fauna, each having a connection to one another in some way.

A Lake Monroe turtle residing on a log. 

Just two of the different bird species (Geese left, Heron right) native to Lake Monroe.