List of lakes of Carter County, Montana facts for kids
There are over 50 named lakes and reservoirs in Carter County, Montana. These important water bodies help support life and activities in this part of Montana. Lakes are natural bodies of water, while reservoirs are human-made lakes built to store water.
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What are Lakes and Reservoirs?
A lake is a large area of water surrounded by land. Lakes are usually natural, formed by things like glaciers, volcanoes, or rivers changing course over many years. They are important homes for fish, birds, and other wildlife.
A reservoir is like a lake, but it's built by people. Engineers create reservoirs by building a dam across a river or stream. This holds back the water, forming a large pool. Reservoirs are super useful because they store water for many purposes.
Why are they important in Carter County?
Carter County, Montana, is known for its wide-open spaces and ranching. Water is very important for farming and raising animals in this area. Reservoirs are especially helpful here because they store water from rain and snowmelt. This stored water can then be used when it's dry, helping crops grow and providing water for livestock.
They also create habitats for many animals. Birds, fish, and other creatures depend on these water sources to live and thrive.
Lakes in Carter County
Carter County has some natural lakes. One example is the Soda Lakes.
- Soda Lakes, 45°43′38″N 104°30′24″W / 45.72722°N 104.50667°W, which sits about 3,278 feet (999 m) above sea level.
Reservoirs in Carter County
Most of the named water bodies in Carter County are reservoirs. These human-made lakes are vital for the local community and environment. They help manage water resources across the county.
Here are a few examples of the many reservoirs you can find:
- Abel Reservoir, 45°43′31″N 104°11′20″W / 45.72528°N 104.18889°W, located at 3,510 feet (1,070 m) elevation.
- Apache Reservoir, 45°40′27″N 104°36′17″W / 45.67417°N 104.60472°W, at 3,369 feet (1,027 m) elevation.
- Brewer Reservoir, 45°36′28″N 104°14′02″W / 45.60778°N 104.23389°W, one of the higher ones at 3,839 feet (1,170 m).
- Cherokee Reservoir, 45°40′13″N 104°31′53″W / 45.67028°N 104.53139°W, at 3,281 feet (1,000 m).
- Dead Horse Reservoir, 45°40′31″N 104°14′40″W / 45.67528°N 104.24444°W, sitting at 3,697 feet (1,127 m).
- Devils Canyon Reservoir, 45°41′35″N 104°15′55″W / 45.69306°N 104.26528°W, at 3,376 feet (1,029 m).
- Dugout Reservoir, 45°55′01″N 104°49′09″W / 45.91694°N 104.81917°W, at 3,291 feet (1,003 m).
- Gros Ventre Reservoir, 45°40′34″N 104°33′12″W / 45.67611°N 104.55333°W, at 3,291 feet (1,003 m).
- Horse Killer Reservoir, 45°43′19″N 104°15′25″W / 45.72194°N 104.25694°W, at 3,402 feet (1,037 m).
- Little Britches Reservoir, 45°56′31″N 104°50′27″W / 45.94194°N 104.84083°W, at 3,182 feet (970 m).
- Lone Tree Reservoir Number One, 45°40′16″N 104°32′21″W / 45.67111°N 104.53917°W, at 3,284 feet (1,001 m).
- Maverick Reservoir, 45°37′52″N 104°15′14″W / 45.63111°N 104.25389°W, at 3,468 feet (1,057 m).
- Navaho Reservoir, 45°40′23″N 104°35′30″W / 45.67306°N 104.59167°W, at 3,343 feet (1,019 m).
- Sioux Reservoir, 45°40′35″N 104°34′16″W / 45.67639°N 104.57111°W, at 3,304 feet (1,007 m).
- Ute Reservoir, 45°41′11″N 104°33′20″W / 45.68639°N 104.55556°W, at 3,291 feet (1,003 m).
These are just a few of the many reservoirs that play a big role in Carter County. They show how people can work with nature to manage important resources like water.