Lake Herbert G. West facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Herbert G. West |
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| West Lake | |
 Lake Herbert G. West
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Herbert G. West
Location in the United States
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| Location | Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia and Whitman counties, Washington state, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 46°33′45″N 118°32′15″W / 46.56250°N 118.53750°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Snake River |
| Primary outflows | Snake River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 6,590 acres (2,670 ha) |
| Water volume | 465,000,000 m3 (1.64×1010 cu ft) |
| Surface elevation | 541 feet (165 m) |
Lake Herbert G. West, often called Lake West, is a large artificial lake in the state of Washington, United States. It was created by building a huge wall, known as a dam, across the Snake River. This lake is important for many reasons, including its interesting history and how it helps boats travel.
About Lake Herbert G. West
Lake Herbert G. West is a reservoir, which means it's a lake made by people. It was formed when the Lower Monumental Dam was built on the Snake River. The lake stretches for about 28 miles (45 kilometers) upstream, all the way to another dam called Little Goose Dam.
The lake covers a large area of about 6,590 acres (27 square kilometers). It can hold a lot of water, usually around 377,000 acre-feet (about 465 million cubic meters). This water is used for different purposes, like helping ships move along the river.
Ancient Discoveries
When Lake Herbert G. West was filled with water in 1968, it covered several important historical places. One of these was the Marmes Rockshelter. This rockshelter was a cave where people lived a very long time ago.
Archaeologists found some of the oldest known artifacts in Washington state at this site. These tools and other items were over 10,000 years old! They showed that people lived in this area many thousands of years ago. The flooding of the lake meant these ancient sites were covered by water.
Who Was Herbert G. West?
The lake is named after a man named Herbert G. West. He was a very important person who worked hard to make river travel better. Mr. West strongly supported the idea of using the Columbia River and Snake River for shipping and transportation.
Thanks to people like Herbert G. West, it became easier for boats to move goods and people along these rivers. Naming the lake after him was a way to honor his efforts and contributions to inland navigation.
