Lake Crescent

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Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent -
Location Clallam County, Washington
Coordinates 48.06° N 123.83° W
Lake type Crescent
Primary inflows Barnes Creek, Smith Creek, Aurora Creek, Eagle Creek
Primary outflows Lyre River
Basin countries United States
Max. length 12 mi (19 km)
Surface area 5,127-acre (21 km²)
Average depth 300 ft (91 m)
Max. depth 624 ft (190 m)
Surface elevation 580 ft (177 m)
Settlements Piedmont
Lake Crescent at dusk.
Lake Crescent at dusk.
The lake's brilliantly colored water.
The lake's brilliantly colored water.

Lake Crescent is a lake located in Clallam County, Washington, originally named Lake Everett. Lake Crescent is a popular recreational area in the Olympic National Park. With a maximum depth of 624 feet (201 m), it is one of the deepest lakes in the state of Washington. The community of Piedmont is nearby.

Lake Crescent is home to a number of trails, including the Spruce Railroad Trail. The railroad trail follows the grade of an old railroad along the shores of Lake Crescent. One can even visit the entrance to a tunnel the railroad went through, but the trail circumvents.

The lake has several beaches and boat ramps. The sport of boating is enjoyed by many on Lake Crescent.

Contents

[edit] Origins

The lake was formed when glaciers carved out deep valleys during the last ice age. This gives Lake Crescent almost the look of a fjord and great depth. Many geologists believe that Lake Crescent and nearby Lake Sutherland were once the same lake, but became separated by a landslide.[1]

[edit] Ecology

Lake Crescent is known for its brilliant blue waters and amazing clarity, which are caused by a lack of nitrogen in the water, inhibiting the growth of algaes.

The lake is also home to two unique species of fish, the Beardslee trout, the Crescenti trout.

Along the shores of Lake Crescent, Washington; July 2007
Along the shores of Lake Crescent, Washington; July 2007

[edit] References

  1. ^ Williams, p.145

[edit] See also

[edit] History

Steamboats of Lake Crescent, Washington

[edit] Sources

  • Williams, Hill. The Restless Northwest: A Geological Story, Washington State University Press, 2002, ISBN 0874222508.

[edit] External links


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