The Valparaiso Chain of Lakes
The Valparaiso Chain of Lakes is a system of lakes located on the north side of the city of Valparaiso in the heart of Porter County, which is located in Northwest Indiana. This extensive system of lakes includes many larger, named lakes as well as a system of wetlands and smaller ponds and streams.
This site contains information on 10 of the larger, named lakes: Deep, Flint, Long, Loomis, Mink, Moss, Round, Silver, Spectacle, Wauhob
An excellent resource on the lakes, a Watershed Management Plan, prepared for the Valparaiso Lakes Area Conservation District by JFNew can be found here.
Wauhob Lake
Named after Chief Wauhob, this lake (bordered by 700 North) serves as fishing hub with tackle shop, boat rental and pier. homeowners on and aroundWauhob Lake have their own HOA and are very active in the preservation and protection of the Valparaiso Chain of Lakes. Wauhob Lake has the clearest water of any of the chain of Lakes.
Moss Lake
Moss Lake was the site of first annual Living with Lakes seminars (now know as Naturepallooza), the first bio blitz location in Porter county, and is the home of Camp Lawrence Youth and Retreat Center. Operated by the Catholic Diocese of Gary, it encompasses 150 acres of beautiful property graced with two small lakes, woods and open fields.
Round Lake
Round Lake is a small, private secluded lake accessible only by canoe or kayak through channel from Wauhob Lake.
Deep Lake
Deep Lake is a small private fishing lake.
Mink Lake
Mink Lake is the site of a former mobile home park and golf course.
Canada Lake
Canada Lake is accessible only from a narrow channel interconnected to Long Lake.
Long Lake
Long Lake is more than 65 acres in size and is the second largest and second most populated lake in chain. The entire west side of the lake has been developed as residential. Its east side includes several islands including Geisemon Island, a nature preserve owned by Woodland Savannah Conservancy. A much larger island, Long Lake Island, includes a housing development of 30 houses and remnants of the last remaining of four hotels built in 1920s.
Loomis Lake
Loomis Lake is the home of Valpo’s Rogers Lakewood Park, part of a city park boasting pavilions, boat ramps, fishing, a sledding hill and other recreational opportunities. Profits Dam located on the north side of the lake allows intermittent draining towards Lake Michigan.
Spectacle Lake
Spectacle Lake is interconnected with Loomis Lake and is particularly shallow, undergoing utrification. Spectacle Lake features a a lovely pedestrian bridge and look out.
Flint Lake
At 100 acres, Flint Lake is the largest and most populated of the chain’s lakes. The lake features public access, swimming, fishing, and motor boating. Flint Lake is the deepest of the lakes and includes Hhillcrest and Burlington beaches, as well as a public boat launch on south side of lake. On the east side of the lake is a main drain exiting the Chain of Lakes Watershed into Crooked Creek.
Silver Lake
Silver lake is shallowest and southern most water body in the Chain of Lakes Watershed. Originally a peat bog, then called Mud Lake, it caught on fire and after burning for several years was eventually filled with storm water run off. Silver Lake neighbors formed a advocacy group in 1990s to permanently protect and preserve southern most wetlands.