Lake Kokanee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Kokanee |
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Location | Mason County, Washington, United States |
Coordinates | 47°23′51″N 123°12′05″W / 47.39750°N 123.20139°W |
Lake type | reservoir |
Primary inflows | Skokomish River |
Primary outflows | Skokomish River |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 150 acres (61 ha) |
Lake Kokanee, also known as Lower Lake Cushman, is a special kind of lake in Washington State, USA. It's not a natural lake but a large reservoir built by people. This reservoir is located in Mason County, Washington, and covers about 150 acres. It's an important part of the Skokomish River system.
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About Lake Kokanee
Lake Kokanee was created to help manage the water from the North Fork of the Skokomish River. A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake where water is stored. This water can then be used for different purposes.
How Lake Kokanee Was Formed
Lake Kokanee was formed because of a structure called Cushman Dam No. 2. This dam was built across the North Fork of the Skokomish River. When the dam was completed, it held back the river's water, creating the large body of water we now call Lake Kokanee.
Providing Electrical Power
One of the main reasons Lake Kokanee exists is to help create electrical power. The water stored in the reservoir is used by the Tacoma Power system. This system uses the force of the water flowing from the dam to spin turbines, which then generate electricity. This electricity helps power homes and businesses in the area.
Location and Size
Lake Kokanee is located in Mason County, which is in the state of Washington in the United States. The lake covers an area of about 150 acres. To give you an idea, that's roughly the size of 113 football fields! It's a significant body of water in the region.