Goose Lake (Anchorage) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goose Lake |
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 Goose Lake
Location in Alaska
Goose Lake
Location in North America
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| Location | Anchorage, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 61°11′44″N 149°49′15″W / 61.19556°N 149.82083°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.3 miles (0.48 km) |
| Surface elevation | 141 feet (43 m) |
| Settlements | Anchorage |
Goose Lake is a small lake located in Anchorage, Alaska. It is a popular spot for people to visit, especially in the summer. You can go swimming there, and it's also connected to Anchorage's large system of trails.
This lake is a special type called a kettle lake. This means it formed a long time ago when a large block of ice from a glacier melted. The melting ice left a bowl-shaped hole in the ground, which then filled with water.
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What is Goose Lake?
Goose Lake is a small but important lake in Anchorage. It is about 0.3 miles (0.48 km) long. The lake is located near the University of Alaska Anchorage. Its elevation is about 141 feet (43 m) above sea level.
How Was Goose Lake Formed?
Goose Lake is known as a kettle lake. These lakes are created by glaciers. Imagine a huge sheet of ice, called a glacier, moving across the land. Sometimes, large chunks of ice break off from the glacier. If one of these ice chunks gets buried in the ground, it can stay there for a long time.
When the buried ice chunk finally melts, it leaves a deep hole or depression in the ground. Over time, this hole fills with water, forming a kettle lake. This is how Goose Lake came to be!
Fun Activities at Goose Lake
Goose Lake is a favorite place for many people in Anchorage. It offers several fun activities, especially when the weather is warm.
Swimming and Beaches
During the summer, Goose Lake is one of the best places to go swimming in Anchorage. It has one of the city's two public beaches. This makes it a great spot to cool off and enjoy the water on a hot day.
Trails and Outdoor Fun
The lake is also part of Anchorage's large trail system. These trails are paths that connect different parts of the city. You can walk, run, or bike on these trails. They offer a great way to explore the area around Goose Lake and enjoy nature.
A Bit of History
Goose Lake has some interesting history connected to it. One notable person who lived near the lake was Zula Swanson.
Zula Swanson's Story
Zula Swanson was an important woman who moved to Anchorage from other parts of the United States. She owned a boarding house and other property right on the banks of Goose Lake. During her life, she became one of the wealthiest women in Anchorage. Her story shows how people helped build the community around the lake.
