Every Lake
Lake Columbia
A 724-acre lake with nine miles of shoreline in southeastern Michigan, near Ann Arbor.
- 11 ft · first step
- 23 ft
- 34 ft
- 45 ft
- 56 ft
- 68 ft · bottom
About Lake Columbia
Lake Columbia covers about 724 acres in southeastern Michigan, within driving distance of Ann Arbor. Like most lakes in this part of the state, it sits in a basin carved by glaciers that retreated roughly 10,000 to 14,000 years ago, leaving behind the string of kettle lakes that mark the region. Lake Columbia's shoreline runs roughly nine miles, almost entirely developed with private homes and cottages rather than public beaches or campgrounds. Its maximum depth is about 68 feet, enough to hold cool water through the summer months for the fish that live there.
The lake functions mainly as a residential community rather than a public destination: private homes line most of its nine miles of shoreline, with access for outsiders limited to the handful of points typical of small Michigan lakes. Boating, fishing, and swimming are the main activities, drawing local and seasonal residents from the surrounding area rather than out-of-state tourists. At 724 acres, Lake Columbia ranks among the state's mid-sized inland lakes, smaller than Michigan's largest, Houghton Lake, but sizable enough to support year-round lake-community life.
- 2 shore towns named, with a star on each
- 88 roads engraved around the shore, 15 of them labeled
- 6 depth layers, each step engraved with its depth in feet
- Compass rose, title block with coordinates, max depth and area; keyhole hanger on the back
Turn it in your hands
Live 3D of the actual cut files — drag to orbit, pinch to zoom. Every road you see is engraved on the real thing.
Viewer not showing? Open it full screen.
Lake Columbia depth chart, in wood
This is a Lake Columbia depth chart you can hang: 6 stacked layers of birch, each one a depth contour — 11 ft, 23 ft, 34 ft, 45 ft, 56 ft and deeper, down to the deepest hole at about 68 ft. The lake covers about 1.2 square miles, and 88 shore roads are engraved around it. The shape of the bottom is the real one from published soundings, so anglers recognise their drop-offs and points.
A Lake Columbia map for the wall — or a gift
Most of these go to a cabin wall, a lake house entry, or a home office; a lot are gifts — the family that has been on Lake Columbia for three generations, the retirement move, the first boat. The 12-inch is the desk-and-shelf size; the 24- and 30-inch boards read across a room. Add a line under the title and star your place on the shore, and it becomes the map of your Lake Columbia.
Lake Columbia map — the details
How big is the map?
Four sizes: 12, 17, 24 and 30 inches on the long side, from $149. Every size is cut from the same depth data of Lake Columbia; the bigger boards carry more shoreline roads and place names.
Is it made from real depth data?
Yes. Lake Columbia is cut layer by layer from published bathymetric soundings — each layer of birch is a depth contour, so the shape of the bottom is the real one, not decorative.
Can I add my own place on it?
Yes. At checkout you can add a line under the title (a family name, a cabin name, a year) and star the spot on the shore that matters to you.
How long does it take?
Made to order in Waterford, Pennsylvania and shipped in 7–10 days; shipping is free in the lower 48.
Can you make a lake that isn't listed?
Any lake in the United States — we hold depth data for 104,419 of them. Search for yours; if it isn't built yet we build it when you order.
- 6 depth layers down to 68 ft
- 1.2 square miles of water
- 88 shore roads engraved, 15 named
- Title block, compass rose and depth markers
- Birch plywood, keyhole hanger, made in Waterford, PA
