Lake Koocanusa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Koocanusa |
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 Lake Koocanusa
Location in Montana
Lake Koocanusa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Montana / British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 48°23′N 115°19′W / 48.383°N 115.317°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Kootenay River |
| Primary outflows | Kootenai River |
| Basin countries | United States, Canada |
| Surface elevation | 2,459 feet (750 m) |
Lake Koocanusa is a large, man-made lake, also called a reservoir. It stretches across the border between British Columbia in Canada and Montana in the United States. This lake was created in 1972 when the Libby Dam was built on the Kootenay River.
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About Lake Koocanusa
Lake Koocanusa was formed by building the Libby Dam. This dam holds back the waters of the Kootenay River. The lake reaches about 48 miles (77 km) north from the dam to the Canadian border. It then goes another 42 miles (68 km) into British Columbia.
When the lake was created, some big changes happened. The town of Rexford had to be moved. A railway line, the Great Northern Railway, also had to be relocated. The town of Waldo, British Columbia is now completely covered by the lake's waters. The Elk River flows into the Kootenay River in the Canadian part of Lake Koocanusa.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The unique name "Koocanusa" was chosen in a contest. A woman named Alice Beers from Rexford, Montana won the contest. The name is a mix of letters from:
- Kootenay River
- Canada
- USA
Visiting Libby Dam and the Lake
Lake Koocanusa was built as a joint project between the United States and Canada. The Libby Dam, which created the lake, is about 16 miles (26 km) from the town of Libby, Montana. You can visit the Libby Dam and its Visitors Center. A special road called the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway starts in Libby and leads to the dam.
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail also follows Highway 37 along the east side of the lake. It then crosses the Lake Koocanusa Bridge before going up Webb Mountain.
Protecting Lake Koocanusa
Scientists and environmental groups are working to keep Lake Koocanusa healthy. One concern is about a natural element called selenium. This selenium can come from waste rock at coal mines upstream from the lake.
Selenium in the Lake
Most of the selenium entering Lake Koocanusa comes from the Elk River. This river has been affected by past and present coal mining in the Elk Valley. High levels of selenium can be harmful to fish. Fish can absorb a lot of selenium, which can then affect other animals that eat the fish, including humans.
In 2020, there were reports of a big drop in the number of adult westslope cutthroat trout in rivers near the mines. Both British Columbia and Montana have agreed to set similar safety levels for selenium. Montana has already put its new standards in place to help protect the lake's environment.
