[4] The lake was formed when a dam was built in the late 19th century on the Clinton River near Dixie Highway and Andersonville Road.

Prior to then, a small pond existed in Waterford Village on the southeastern shore.

That property was section 32 in Independence Township, Michigan, also known as Waterford Hill.

[9] With an elevation of 1,150 feet (350 m), his property was the second highest point in Independence Township.

Fish in Van Norman Lake include pumpkinseed sunfish, largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike and crappie.