Big Lake is a oxbow lake in

Holt County, Missouri Holt County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,223. It's county seat is Oregon. The county was organized February 15, 1841. Originally named Nodaway Count ...

near Big Lake, Missouri. It is believed to have formed from the Missouri River sometime before the

Lewis and Clark Expedition The Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the United States expedition to cross the newly acquired western portion of the country after the Louisiana Purchase. The Corps of Discovery was a select gro ...

visited the area in 1804. It is the largest oxbow lake in the state of

Missouri Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...

Big Lake State Park Big Lake State Park is a public recreation area located in northwest Missouri, United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in N ...

, a state park was established on the lake's northeast side in 1932. The State Park also includes the largest marsh in a state park in Missouri. The remaining two-thirds of the lake shore is occupied by privately owned cabins and residences. The lake is also known for being very shallow (usually only five feet) in most areas. Residents say you can walk across the lake if you are careful. The only known major deep spot in the lake is under the railroad trussel at the south side of the lake. This spot is almost 30 feet deep. The majority of the lake's fish reside here in winter.

External links

Big Lake State Park page
{{authority control Bodies of water of Holt County, Missouri Lakes of Missouri Oxbow lakes of the United States