List of lakes of Sanders County, Montana facts for kids

Sanders County in Montana is a beautiful place with many natural wonders. It's home to at least 66 different lakes and reservoirs! These amazing bodies of water are important for wildlife, recreation, and even for providing water and power to people.

Lakes of Sanders County

Lakes are natural bodies of water, usually fresh water, that are surrounded by land. They can be formed in many ways, like by glaciers carving out valleys, or by rivers changing course over time. The lakes in Sanders County are often found in stunning mountain settings, offering incredible views and opportunities for outdoor fun.

What is a Lake?

A lake is a large area of water, bigger than a pond, that is completely surrounded by land. Lakes are not connected to the ocean, and their water usually comes from rain, melting snow, or rivers flowing into them. Many lakes in Sanders County are high up in the mountains, making them very clear and cold. The elevation, or how high they are above sea level, can vary a lot. For example, some lakes are over 6,000 feet (1,800 m) high!

Some Cool Lakes to Explore

Sanders County has many unique lakes, each with its own charm. Here are just a few examples:

• Acorn Lake is a beautiful mountain lake, located high up at 5,991 feet (1,826 m).
• Arrowhead Lake is another high-elevation lake, sitting at 5,955 feet (1,815 m).
• Banana Lake has a fun name and is found at a lower elevation of 3,596 feet (1,096 m).
• Bear Lake is a popular spot, located at 5,994 feet (1,827 m).
• Blossom Lakes are a group of lakes found at 5,673 feet (1,729 m), perfect for exploring.
• Cliff Lake is one of the highest lakes, reaching 6,713 feet (2,046 m).
• Crescent Lake gets its name from its shape and is at 4,039 feet (1,231 m).
• Deer Lake is a scenic spot at 5,948 feet (1,813 m).
• Duckhead Lake is another lake with an interesting name, found at 6,112 feet (1,863 m).
• Lower Thompson Lake is a larger lake at 3,333 feet (1,016 m), often visited by people.
• Ninetythree Mile Lake is quite a distance from other places, located at 5,305 feet (1,617 m).
• Rainbow Lake sounds like a magical place, sitting at 3,589 feet (1,094 m).
• Snowshoe Lake is very high up at 6,148 feet (1,874 m), likely needing snowshoes to reach in winter!
• Twin Lakes are two lakes close together, at 3,878 feet (1,182 m).

Reservoirs: Man-Made Lakes

While lakes are natural, reservoirs are like man-made lakes. They are created by building a dam across a river, which then holds back the water to form a large body of water. Reservoirs are very important for many reasons, like storing water for towns, generating electricity, and controlling floods.

Why Do We Build Reservoirs?

Reservoirs are super useful! They help us manage water resources. For example, they can store water during times of heavy rain or snowmelt, and then release it slowly during dry periods. This water can be used for drinking, irrigation (watering crops), and even for fun activities like boating and fishing. The dams that create reservoirs can also be used to generate clean electricity, which is called hydroelectric power.

Important Reservoirs in Sanders County

Sanders County has several important reservoirs that play a big role in the area:

• Cabinet Gorge Reservoir is a large reservoir created by the Cabinet Gorge Dam, located at 2,178 feet (664 m).
• Dry Fork Reservoir is another important water body, found at 2,861 feet (872 m).
• Noxon Rapids Reservoir is a major reservoir formed by the Noxon Rapids Dam, at 2,264 feet (690 m).
• Noxon Reservoir is very close to Noxon Rapids Reservoir, at 2,326 feet (709 m).
• Thompson Falls Reservoir is located near the town of Thompson Falls, at 2,972 feet (906 m).
• Upper Dry Fork Reservoir is higher up than Dry Fork Reservoir, at 2,933 feet (894 m).

These lakes and reservoirs make Sanders County a special place, providing homes for animals, fun for people, and important resources for the community.

See also

• List of lakes in Montana