Clear Lake (Wasco County, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clear Lake |
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Clear Lake, Wasco County and Timothy Lake (back left)
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 Clear Lake
Location in Oregon
Clear Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Wasco County, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°10′50″N 121°42′32″W / 45.1805262°N 121.7089251°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 3,518 ft (1,072 m) |
| Islands | (none) |
| Settlements | (none) |
Clear Lake is a beautiful mountain lake located in Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon, United States. It's about 53 miles (85 km) southeast of Portland, Oregon. If you're flying over the area, you might even notice its unique bird-like shape!
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Where is Clear Lake?
Clear Lake is found in the northwest part of Wasco County, Oregon. It's about 12 miles (19 km) south of the famous Mount Hood. You can find it near where U.S. Route 26 meets Skyline Road. The famous Pacific Crest Trail, a long hiking path, is also just 2 miles (4 km) west of the lake.
Water Sources and the Wasco Dam
Clear Lake gets its water from several small streams. These streams flow from the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. The lake is also the starting point for Clear Creek. This creek then flows into the White River.
At the east end of Clear Lake, there is a structure called the Wasco Dam. This dam was built in 1959. It was part of an irrigation project by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. The dam is made of earth and stands 59 feet (18 meters) high. It is 1,901 feet (579 meters) long at its top.
Clear Lake Butte
Just south of Clear Lake, there's a hill called Clear Lake Butte. A "butte" is a type of isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top. Clear Lake Butte is about 4,454 feet (1,358 meters) tall. It also marks the northwest corner of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
Fun Facts About Clear Lake
Clear Lake is a popular spot for many reasons:
- Fishing: The lake is known for having lots of fish.
- Windy Conditions: It can often be quite windy here, which is great for some water sports.
- Nature: You might see tree stumps along the banks. Sometimes, you can even spot tracks from free-range cattle.
- Camping: There's a campground near the lake with 28 official spots. There's also an extra area for campers if the main spots are full.
