Crater Lake Size report
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It is located in the southern part of the Cascade Mountains in the northwestern United States, about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Medford. Its outline is approximately circular and is one of the world's natural wonders.
Because the water is so clear, the lake is always dark blue, the water temperature remains below 13°C, and the known freezing of the lake has only occurred once. The lake and its surrounding region became Crater Lake National Park in 1902, with an area of 286 square miles (741 square km). By the early 21st century, the park had more than 90 miles (145 km) of hiking trails.
Crater Lake has long held special significance for Native Americans, for whom it has been a sacred place. Before visiting, you should check the Crater Lake National Park website information. This post will introduce more details about the fantasy blue lake.
Crater Lake Introduction
Crater lake was originally an ancient volcano, Mount Mazama, covered by glaciers. Later, the volcano erupted, and the top collapsed, forming a caldera. Under the action of weathering and water erosion, the crater gradually expanded and accumulated water into a lake. The crater is about 6 miles (10 km) in diameter and is the remnant of Mount Mazama. This volcano rose to probably 12,000 feet (3,700 meters) until an eruption about 7,700 years ago destroyed the upper portion. Cinder cones indicate subsequent lesser outbursts on the caldera floor; its largest volcanic cone, Wizard Island, rises 764 feet (233 meters) above the water.
Lava cliffs surround Crater lake with a height of 150-600 meters. The volcanic rocks have various shapes after weathering. In addition, the lake area is dense with pine and fir forests, and wildflowers are blooming in summer; you will enjoy the beautiful scenery all year round at Crater Lake National Park.
Crater Lake Size
- Crater Lake has an average surface elevation of 6,173 feet (1,881 meters) above sea level, about 9.5 kilometers long, and an average depth of about 1,500 feet (457 meters).
- Underwater mapping of the lake in 2000 established a maximum depth of 1,943 feet (592 meters); the previously recorded maximum had been 1,932 feet (589 meters), making it the deepest lake in the United States and seventh deepest in the world.
- Its waters are exceptionally clear, and it is often possible to see depths of more than 100 feet (30 meters).
Climate
With an annual average of 43 feet of snow, Crater Lake is one of the snowiest places in the United States. The park's official winter season lasts from November to April, but the snow may linger into May and June. While parts of the park are closed for winter weather, there are plenty of opportunities to have fun during the snowy season, such as cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling.
Ecology
Crater Lake National Park is home to some amazing old-growth forest ecosystems. The park has four forest zones to explore -- ponderosa pine forest, lodgepole pine forest, mountain hemlocks zone, and whitebark pines zone -- each one named after its dominant tree species. And with many different mammals, amphibians, fish, and birds, Crater Lake is home to plenty of wildlife. Deer, squirrels, and birds are most common, but visitors exploring the forests and trails might encounter elk and bobcats. If you are lucky enough to see these amazing creatures, always remain a safe distance away and never feed wildlife.
Final Words
Perhaps the unique feature of the lake is its remarkable color, a deep, brilliant blue. That color results from the reflection of blue and green light waves off the clear and colorless water. There is little suspended sediment in the lake because the lake is fed directly by precipitation rather than indirectly by a stream. And the ranging elevations throughout the Crater Lake National Park provide diverse habitats for an array of wildlife.
