The largest of the lakes. At 9,842 acres it’s three times larger than Lake Monona and also has the greatest depth at 83’ at it’s deepest point. It has five city beaches and seven additional swimming areas.
The north end of the Yahara Watershed, to the north of Lake Mendota, is known for fertile soils and multi-generational dairy farms. The University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Madison downtown lie along the southern shore of Lake Mendota, although much of the isthmus and downtown area drains into Lake Monona or Lake Wingra.
