{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Lake Sara | native_name = | native_name_lang = | other_name = <!-- Images --> | image = | alt = | caption = | image_bathymetry = | alt_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = <!-- Stats --> | location = Effingham County, Illinois, United States | group = | coordinates = {{coord|39.136|-88.633|format=dms|type:waterbody_region:US-IL|display=inline,title}} | type = Reservoir | etymology = | part_of = | inflow = | rivers = | outflow = | oceans = | catchment = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | basin_countries = United States | agency = | designation = | date-built = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} For man-made and other recent bodies of water --> | engineer = | date-flooded = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} For man-made and other recent bodies of water --> | length = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | width = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | area = {{convert|800|acre|abbr=on}} | depth = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | max-depth = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | volume = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | residence_time = | salinity = | shore = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | elevation = {{convert|177|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} <ref name=gnis>{{gnis|422281}}</ref> | temperature_high = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | temperature_low = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --> | frozen = | islands = | islands_category = | sections = | trenches = | benches = | cities = <!-- Map --> | pushpin_map = USA Illinois | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Below --> | website = | reference = }}
'''Lake Sara''' is an {{convert|800|acre}} reservoir located four miles west of the city of Effingham in Effingham County, Illinois.<ref>{{cite gnis|422281|Lake Sara|2020-04-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/lake-sara|title=Lake Sara|last=IL 62401|first=Routes 32-33 North Effingham|website=Enjoy Illinois|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref>
Lake Sara's attractions include a two marinas, a public beach, two restaurants, various rental properties (including a camp ground), and several area golf courses. The lake offers boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visiteffinghamil.com/Home/Components/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory/448/61?alpha=L|title=Stay {{!}} Effingham Convention & Visitor Bureau|website=www.visiteffinghamil.com|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref>
The lake was built and is owned by the Effingham Water Authority,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.effinghamwaterauthority.org/|title=Effingham Water Authority {{!}}|website=www.effinghamwaterauthority.org|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref> a public entity established in 1955 by a 4–1 vote of Effingham City Council, in response to a water shortage felt throughout much of the Midwest at the time.
Named after an active benefactor (Sara Pearson), Lake Sara was publicly dedicated on November 10, 1957, following the delivery of a keynote address by Hon. William G. Stratton, Governor of Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/lake-sara-tied-to-effinghams-past-and-future/article_ae70363e-f04f-11e9-a46a-a71a6f723415.html|title=Lake Sara tied to Effingham's past and future|last=Daily News|first=Dawn Schabbing|website=Effingham Daily News|language=en|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref>
Habitat enhancement structures were dropped in the Lake to attract aquatic life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/fishy-hangouts-structures-sunk-in-lake-sara-to-improve-habitats/article_d44c074a-a397-5d45-91d2-be8429168b5b.html|title=Fishy Hangouts: Structures sunk in Lake Sara to improve habitats|last=Daily News|first=Bill Grimes|website=Effingham Daily News|language=en|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref> The Effingham Water Authority has proposed a 30-acre recreation installment at the Lake as a way of transitioning the lake to a public park.<ref>[https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/water-authority-explores-multiyear-project-at-lake-sara/article_2132c19a-c83e-5b52-917d-1123e961e176.html Water authority explores multiyear project at Lake Sara | Local News | effinghamdailynews.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.effinghamwaterauthority.org/ effinghamwaterauthority.org] * https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/lake-sara
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Category:Bodies of water of Effingham County, Illinois Category:Reservoirs in Illinois
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