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 7 mi (11 km) long reservoir on the Nisqually River in Eatonville, Washington in the U.S. state of Washington, which was created by the construction of Alder Dam by Tacoma Power in September 1944. At the very eastern end of the lake is the town of Elbe, Washington.
The name of the lake recalls the former small town of Alder, which was flooded in 1945 by the impounded water of the lake and disappeared. The extinct town, in turn, was named for alder trees near the original site. The current community of Alder is located north of the lake.
The water level is low during winter and higher in the spring through fall. In the summer months, the water get colored because of glacial silt coming from runoff from the Nisqually glacier.
Angling
Alder Reservoir is open year-round. The lake has naturally reproducing populations of coastal cutthroat, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, white crappie, and brown bullhead catfish. Anglers are allowed to retain up to 10 kokanee and 5 cutthroat per day.
There are several boat ramps and good bank access.
Ghost town of Adler
Alder was founded in 1905 by Martin Holes and by 1909 had a population of 200. There were two general stores, two hotels, fraternal hall, church, school, saw and shingle mill, and two logging camps nearby.
In 1942, the construction of Nisqually Dam Project began and lasted through WWII. In September of 1944 the dam was completed. All the town dwellers moved out, and the town site was flooded shortly there after.
Today there remains of the town become visible when draw downs on Alder lake occur. These draw downs reveal foundations and roadways of the once flourishing town.
Interesting facts
- Adler Lake touches three counties and boasts 28 miles of shoreline
- In 2021, Intel named it's new microarchitecture after Alder Lake.
See also
