Gibson Lake is the most significant lake in the state to have been built entirely above ground. Located in southwestern Indiana, the unique above-ground lake covers 3,500 acres and acts as a cooling pond for the local coal-burning power plant. The outflows of hot water from the central plant's boilers into the 6,000-acre lake ensure the water temperate never drops below 60°F, which attracts a myriad of ducks and geese in the winter months when other lakes are frozen over. Gibson Lake is located in a 160-acre area of natural wetlands known as the Gibson Lake Wildlife Habitat Area, which teems with a wide diversity of wildlife from plenty of fish species and small mammals to migrating shorebirds and waterfowl.

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