Lake Helena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Helena |
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East side of Lake Helena, looking west toward the Scratchgravel Hills
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 Lake Helena
Location in Montana
Lake Helena
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lewis and Clark County, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46°42′10″N 111°54′07″W / 46.70278°N 111.90194°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,073 acres (8.39 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 3,647 ft (1,112 m) |
Lake Helena is a body of water in the Helena Valley, Montana. It is located in Lewis and Clark County. This lake is about 2,073 acres (8.39 km2) big. It sits 3,647 feet (1,112 m) above sea level.
How Lake Helena Was Formed
Lake Helena was created because of a big project. In 1907, the Hauser Dam was finished on the Missouri River. This dam formed a larger body of water called Hauser Lake.
Building the dam also caused water to flood. It covered about 8 miles (13 km) of Prickly Pear Creek. This flooding also covered the wet areas around the creek. This is how Lake Helena came to be.
The Lake Helena Causeway
In 1945, a special road was built across the water. This road is called the Lake Helena causeway. It helps separate the main lake from the flooded canyon part of Prickly Pear Creek.
Before the causeway, there was an older bridge. It was built in 1904 and made of steel and wood. The steel part was 120 feet (37 m) long. The whole bridge was 520 feet (160 m) long. The old bridge was taken apart in 1952. You can still see its concrete supports just north of the causeway.
Water Sources and Wildlife
Water flows into Lake Helena from several places. These include Tenmile Creek and Prickly Pear Creek. Another stream, Silver Creek, also adds water. The Helena Valley Irrigation Project also sends water to the lake. All this water enters the western side of the lake.
For many years, people used to fish for carp in Lake Helena. This was a commercial fishery, meaning they caught fish to sell. Today, the western part of the lake is very marshy. It is a popular spot for watching birds. Many different kinds of birds can be seen there.
