Alder Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alder Lake |
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Alder Lake behind Alder Dam
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 Alder Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Alder Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pierce County, Thurston County, Lewis County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°46′15″N 122°16′20″W / 46.77083°N 122.27222°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Nisqually River |
| Primary outflows | Nisqually River |
| Catchment area | 286 sq mi (740 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Surface area | 3,065 acres (1,240 ha) |
| Shore length1 | 28 mi (45 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,207 ft (368 m) at full pool |
| Islands | 5 |
| Settlements | Elbe |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Alder Lake is a large reservoir (a human-made lake) located in the state of Washington, United States. It stretches about 7 miles (11 km) long along the Nisqually River. This lake was created when the Alder Dam was built by Tacoma Power in September 1944.
At the very eastern end of Alder Lake, you'll find the town of Elbe. The lake itself is named after a small town called Alder. This original town was flooded in 1945 when the lake filled up with water and disappeared. The old town was named after the alder trees that grew nearby. Today, a new community also called Alder is located north of the lake.
The water level in Alder Lake changes throughout the year. It's usually lower in the winter months and gets higher from spring through fall. In the summer, the water can look a bit cloudy. This is because of tiny bits of rock and dirt, called glacial silt, that wash into the lake from the Nisqually glacier.
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Fishing at Alder Lake
Alder Lake is a popular spot for fishing and is open all year round. The lake is home to many different types of fish that reproduce naturally.
What Fish Can You Catch?
- Coastal cutthroat: A type of trout.
- Largemouth bass: A popular sport fish.
- Smallmouth bass: Another type of bass, often found in clearer water.
- Yellow perch: A common panfish.
- Black crappie: A tasty panfish.
- White crappie: Similar to black crappie.
- Brown bullhead catfish: A type of catfish.
Fishermen are allowed to keep up to 10 kokanee (a type of salmon) and 5 cutthroat trout per day. There are several places around the lake where you can launch a boat, and it's also easy to fish from the shore.
The Ghost Town of Alder
Before Alder Lake was created, there was a small town named Alder. It was founded in 1905 by a person named Martin Holes. By 1909, about 200 people lived there.
Life in Old Alder
The town of Alder was a busy place. It had:
- Two general stores
- Two hotels
- A fraternal hall (a meeting place for community groups)
- A church
- A school
- A saw and shingle mill (for cutting wood)
- Two logging camps nearby
How the Town Disappeared
In 1942, construction began on the Nisqually Dam Project, which included Alder Dam. This big project continued through World War II. In September 1944, the dam was finished. All the people living in Alder had to move out of their homes. Soon after, in 1945, the town site was flooded by the new lake.
Today, if the water level in Alder Lake drops very low, you can sometimes see parts of the old town. Foundations of buildings and old roadways from the once-busy town become visible. It's like seeing a glimpse of history!
Cool Facts About Alder Lake
- Alder Lake is quite large and touches three different counties in Washington state.
- It has a long shoreline, stretching for about 28 miles (45 km).
- In 2021, a famous computer chip company called Intel named one of its new microarchitecture designs after Alder Lake.
See also
