Marion Lake (Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marion Lake |
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 Marion Lake
Location in Oregon
Marion Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Linn County, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°33′23″N 121°51′43″W / 44.556508°N 121.862009°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 300 acres (1.2 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 4,134 ft (1,260 m) |
Marion Lake is a beautiful alpine lake found in Linn County, Oregon, in the United States. It is located in the middle of Oregon's Cascades mountains. This special lake is part of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness area.
Marion Lake covers about 300 acres (1.2 km2) of water. It sits high up in the mountains, at an elevation of about 4,134 feet (1,260 m). It is known for being the biggest lake in any wilderness area in Oregon. It is also the largest lake you cannot reach by car!
Contents
Discovering Marion Lake
Marion Lake is the largest natural lake in the Willamette National Forest. This is true for lakes on the western side of the Central Cascade Range, except for the very large Waldo Lake.
How Marion Lake Got Its Name
The lake was named in 1874 by a group exploring the area. This group was from Marion County. The county itself was named after General Francis Marion. He was a famous hero during the American Revolutionary War.
Marion Lake's Water Source
Marion Lake is the starting point for Marion Creek. This creek then flows into the North Santiam River. So, the lake acts like the "headwaters" for this important creek.
Animals of Marion Lake
You can find interesting creatures living around Marion Lake. One of them is the rough-skinned newt.
Rough-skinned Newt: Life in the Lake
The rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) is a type of amphibian. These newts are often seen at Marion Lake, especially when they are breeding. They spend part of their lives in water and part on land.
