Lower Slide Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lower Slide Lake |
|
|---|---|
with Gros Ventre landslide field right background
|
|
 Lower Slide Lake
Location in Wyoming
Lower Slide Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Bridger-Teton National Forest, Teton County, Wyoming, US |
| Coordinates | 43°37′55″N 110°31′48″W / 43.63194°N 110.53000°W |
| Type | Natural lake |
| Primary inflows | Gros Ventre River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 2 mi (3.2 km) |
| Max. width | .5 mi (.8 km) |
| Surface area | 650 acres (260 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 6,908 ft (2,106 m) |
Lower Slide Lake is a natural lake found in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, United States. This lake was formed in a very special way. It was created by a massive natural event almost 100 years ago.
Contents
Lower Slide Lake: A Lake Born from a Landslide
Lower Slide Lake is unique because it was not always there. It appeared suddenly due to a huge natural event. This event changed the landscape forever.
How the Lake Was Formed
On June 23, 1925, a giant landslide happened. This landslide is known as the Gros Ventre landslide. A landslide is when a large amount of rock, earth, or debris slides down a slope. This particular landslide was enormous.
The sliding earth and rocks crashed into the Gros Ventre River. They completely blocked the river's flow. This natural dam caused the river water to back up. Slowly, over time, a new lake began to form behind this dam. That lake was Lower Slide Lake.
The Dam Breaks: A Big Flood
The natural dam created by the landslide was not permanent. Less than two years after the lake formed, part of the rock dam failed. This happened on May 18, 1927.
When the dam broke, a huge amount of water rushed out. This caused a powerful flood downstream along the Gros Ventre River. The flood changed the river's path and affected the land around it. After this event, the lake became smaller than it was originally.
Fish and Wildlife at the Lake
Today, Lower Slide Lake is a home for many types of fish. The lake has both natural fish populations and fish that have been stocked there. Stocked means fish are added to the lake by people.
You can find several kinds of trout in the lake. These include lake trout and Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout. There are also mountain whitefish. These fish make the lake a popular spot for fishing.
Exploring the Area
Lower Slide Lake is located within the beautiful Bridger-Teton National Forest. This forest is a great place to explore nature. Visitors can enjoy the scenery and look for wildlife. The lake offers a chance to see a unique natural wonder. It's also a reminder of the powerful forces of nature.
