Lake Coeur d'Alene facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Coeur d'Alene |
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 Lake Coeur d'Alene
Location in Idaho
Lake Coeur d'Alene
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kootenai / Benewah counties, Idaho, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 47°30′54″N 116°49′57″W / 47.51500°N 116.83250°W |
| Type | glacial, reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Coeur d'Alene River, Saint Joe River |
| Primary outflows | Spokane River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 25 mi (40 km) |
| Max. width | 3 mi (4.8 km) |
| Surface area | 49.8 sq mi (129 km2) |
| Average depth | 120 ft (37 m) |
| Max. depth | 220 ft (67 m) |
| Water volume | 2,260,000 acre⋅ft (2.79 km3) |
| Residence time | 0.5 years |
| Surface elevation | 2,128 ft (649 m) |
Lake Coeur d'Alene, also known as Coeur d'Alene Lake (pronounced KOR-_-DƏ-layn), is a beautiful natural lake in North Idaho, United States. It is located in the Pacific Northwest region. The city of Coeur d'Alene is found at its northern end.
The lake is about 25 miles (40 km) long. It ranges from 1 to 3 miles (4.8 km) wide. The shoreline stretches for over 109 miles (175 km). The lake was named after the Coeur d'Alene people.
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How Lake Coeur d'Alene Was Formed
Lake Coeur d'Alene was created by huge ancient floods. These floods are called the Missoula Floods. They happened about 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. A large ice sheet from Canada helped shape the land.
This ice sheet blocked the Clark Fork River. This created a giant Glacial Lake Missoula. When the ice dam broke, massive floods rushed through the area. They filled the Rathdrum Prairie with sand and gravel. This process also formed Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Two main rivers feed the lake: the Coeur d'Alene River and the Saint Joe River. The water then flows out into the Spokane River.
The lake's water level changes throughout the year. It is controlled by the Post Falls Dam. This dam is on the Spokane River. In summer, the lake is about 2,128 feet (649 m) above sea level. In winter, it can be up to 7 feet (2.1 m) lower. The average surface temperature in summer is about 68 °F (20 °C).
History of Lake Coeur d'Alene
The first European to see this area was an explorer named David Thompson. He visited in 1807.
The Post Falls Dam was built and started operating. This caused flooding that changed the lake's size and shape. Several smaller lakes joined together to form the larger Lake Coeur d'Alene we see today.
The lake has been important for transporting lumber. This started when the timber industry grew in the region. Before a big fire in 1917, Harrison was a growing lumber town. It was planned to be the county seat of Kootenai County. After the fire, many mills moved to the city of Coeur d'Alene. This city then became the county seat.
You can find old Ford Model T cars at the bottom of the lake. In the early 1900s, people sometimes drove across the frozen lake in winter. But the ice was not always thick enough, and their cars fell through. Old steamboats are also on the lakebed. They were burned and sunk when they were no longer useful. Today, divers often visit these underwater sites for fun.
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe owns the southern one-third of Lake Coeur d'Alene. This includes the land under the water. They also own parts of the Saint Joe River. Their ownership rights were confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2001. This decision means the tribe can set its own water quality rules for their part of the lake.
On July 5, 2020, two small planes had an accident over the lake. Eight people died in this event.
Environmental Concerns
The lake has faced environmental challenges. This is due to past mining and smelting activities upstream. The Coeur d'Alene Basin, including the Coeur d'Alene River and the lake, has heavy metals like lead. This area was named a "Superfund" site in 1983. This means it needs special cleanup efforts.
Local health officials suggest washing anything that touches the soil or dust in the Coeur d'Alene River basin. This is because of the risk of lead contamination.
Fun Activities at Lake Coeur d'Alene
Lake Coeur d'Alene is a very popular place for tourists in the summer. It has great beaches and beautiful views. Many people enjoy watching bald eagles here. The eagles come to feed on kokanee fish in the lake. This usually happens in Wolf Lodge Bay.
The lake is home to many types of fish. These include bluegill, yellow perch, white crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, kokanee, Chinook salmon, and northern pike.
There are also great trails around the lake. The North Idaho Centennial Trail is popular for cycling, walking, and jogging. It follows the north and northeastern shores. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes runs along the southern shores.
For several years, the lake hosted exciting unlimited hydroplane races. These were part of the Diamond Cup events from 1958 to 1968.
Idaho State Parks and Public Areas
Images for kids
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Lake Coeur d'Alene seen from the International Space Station
See also
In Spanish: Lago Coeur d’Alene para niños
