Cultus Lake (Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cultus Lake |
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Cultus Lake boat dock
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 Cultus Lake
Location in Oregon
Cultus Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Deschutes County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43°50′16″N 121°51′36″W / 43.83766°N 121.86006°W |
| Type | Natural lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 2 mi (3.2 km) |
| Surface area | 1,145.7 acres (4.636 km2) |
| Max. depth | 211 ft (64 m) |
| Shore length1 | 8.1 mi (13.0 km) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Cultus Lake is a beautiful natural lake in Deschutes County, Oregon, in the United States. It was formed a long time ago by a giant glacier. You can find it high up in the Cascade Range mountains, inside the Deschutes National Forest.
The name "Cultus" comes from an old language called Chinook Jargon. This word can mean "bad" or "worthless," or even "in vain." But don't let the name fool you, the lake is a wonderful place to visit! Many years ago, in the early 1800s, lots of beavers lived around these lakes. The first explorers came to this area mainly to find beaver furs.
Contents
Discovering Cultus Lake
What is Cultus Lake Like?
Cultus Lake sits right at the base of Cultus Mountain. It's a natural lake, not one made by people. The deepest part of the lake is about 211 feet (64 meters). It stretches for about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) long.
Many different kinds of fish live in the lake. You might find rainbow trout, lake trout (also called mackinaw), and brook trout. Several smaller streams flow into the lake, bringing in younger fish. The biggest stream is Winopee Creek. It enters through a marsh on the northwest side. This spot is very popular for fly fishing.
About two miles south of Cultus Lake is a smaller lake called Little Cultus Lake. Cultus Mountain separates these two lakes. Cultus Lake empties its water to the east through Cultus Creek. This creek then flows into Crane Prairie Reservoir.
Trees and Nature Around the Lake
The area around Cultus Lake is famous for its very tall trees. You can see huge ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and western white pine trees. Some of these trees can grow as tall as 120 feet (37 meters)!
However, some of these large pines are facing challenges. Smaller fir trees growing underneath them are taking away light and nutrients. Also, tiny bugs called mountain pine beetles are attacking the trees. Experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are worried. If things don't change, there might be fewer large pine and Douglas-fir trees. Instead, more White fir trees might grow.
To help the big trees, experts suggest a plan. They recommend carefully removing some of the smaller white fir trees around the large pines. This would give the big pines more light and food. It would help them grow stronger and fight off the bark beetles.
How Cultus Lake is Cared For
Managing the Fish Population
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife helps take care of Cultus Lake. They work to make sure there are plenty of fish. They manage both the fish that are born naturally in the lake and those raised in hatcheries. This includes rainbow trout and brook trout. They also look after the natural populations of Mountain Whitefish and lake trout.
Fun Things to Do at Cultus Lake
Enjoying the Lake's Amenities
Cultus Lake is a great place for recreation and having fun! It's very popular for exciting water sports. People love to go water skiing, sailing, and jet skiing here. Boating is also a favorite activity.
The lake has a resort where you can stay. It has 23 cabins and a lodge with a restaurant and a store. If you prefer camping, there are three other campsites. You can set up your tent or park your RV there.
