Crada Lake

Crada Lake is a large lake formed from the impact site of the Peoria Meteorite. It is fed by the Illinois River, and has a depth of roughly 375 meters at its deepest point. Its name comes from a bastardization of "Crater Lake" and the city that have been built up around the lake gained the name Crada from it. Crada, Illinois was known as Peoria, Illinois before the meteorite struck and destroyed most of the city.

Fauna & Flora

Since the lake filled in, many species of fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants have made the lake their home. Despite the abundance of wildlife in and around the crater, both hunting and fishing are prohibited within the boundaries of Meteorite National Park out of safety concerns. Heavy metals have been found in the organisms living in the area, likely having been introduced by the meteorite itself.

Natural Resources

Thanks to the meteorite, the area surrounding the lake is rich with metals including gold, aluminum, iron, and tin. It is unclear whether any of these metals originate solely from the meteorite or if they were naturally in the crust and simply uncovered. The sheer amount of metal in the soil surrounding the lake makes agricultural endeavors nearby dangerous at best.

History

Crada Lake was formed over a period of several months in 2113. The meteorite first struck Peoria in April of 2113, and the crater slowly filled with water from the Illinois River after the dust settled. Due to the formation of the lake, the Illinois River was diverted for nearly a year.

Tourism

The crater ridge is a popular tourist destination among the outdoorsy types, as it provides a view described as "breathtaking". The hike up to the ridge is also used as a test of endurance by hikers, if they don't follow the main trail. Despite the steep incline, the main trail up to the ridge's viewpoint is not difficult for even children to hike.

The lake itself is used by locals and tourists alike for watersports and relaxation. There are signs posted on every major beach warning of the risks associated with swimming in the metal-laden water, but few heed the warnings.

Crada Lake by donwhite84 on Pixabay

Type

Crater / Crater Lake / Caldera

Location under

Crada, Illinois

Owning Organization

The Great Lakes Nation