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Lake Sherburne facts for kids

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Lake Sherburne
Lake-sherburne-964855.jpg
Location of Lake Sherburne in Montana, USA.
Location of Lake Sherburne in Montana, USA.
Lake Sherburne
Location in Montana
Location of Lake Sherburne in Montana, USA.
Location of Lake Sherburne in Montana, USA.
Lake Sherburne
Location in the United States
Location Glacier National Park (U.S.), Glacier County, Montana
Coordinates 48°49′42″N 113°31′16″W / 48.82833°N 113.52111°W / 48.82833; -113.52111
Type Manmade
Primary inflows Swiftcurrent Creek
Primary outflows Swiftcurrent Creek
Basin countries United States
Max. length 6 mi (9.7 km)
Max. width .8 mi (1.3 km)
Surface elevation 4,788 ft (1,459 m)

Lake Sherburne is a large lake found in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. This park is located in the state of Montana, United States. Lake Sherburne is actually a reservoir, which means it's a lake created by people. It was formed by the Lake Sherburne Dam, which holds back the waters of Swiftcurrent Creek.

How Lake Sherburne Was Made

The Lake Sherburne Dam was built between 1914 and 1921. When the dam was finished, it flooded several smaller lakes. It also covered many natural wet areas and riverbanks. Because the water level in the lake changes a lot, not many plants can grow right along its edges.

This reservoir is super important for farming. It stores water for the Milk River Project. This project helps provide water for farms in north central Montana.

Who Was Joseph Sherburne?

The lake is named after an early settler and businessman named Joseph H. Sherburne. He moved to the area around 1896. Joseph owned the Sherburne Mercantile Company. This company had stores in towns like Browning, Babb, and East Glacier.

Joseph and his family used to spend summers in a cabin by some small lakes. These lakes were known as Sherburne Lakes (plural). After the dam was built in 1919, the new, bigger lake was named Lake Sherburne.

Animals You Might See

Even though not many plants grow right by the lake, you can still spot some cool animals! Trumpeter swans are often seen here. They visit the lake during spring and fall. These large, beautiful birds are a real treat to watch.

Fishing at Lake Sherburne

Fishing in Lake Sherburne can be a bit tricky. It's not known for being the best fishing spot. However, you might catch brook trout and northern pike here.

It's usually best to use a boat if you want to fish. There isn't a special dock for boats on the lake. So, people often park their cars by the road. Then, they walk down to the water's edge to launch their boats.

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