Minam Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minam Lake |
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Minam Lake
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 Minam Lake
Location in Oregon
Minam Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Wallowa Mountains, Wallowa County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 45°10′56″N 117°21′01″W / 45.18222°N 117.35028°W |
| Type | Oligotrophic reservoir |
| Primary outflows | Minam River and Lostine River |
| Catchment area | 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 59 acres (24 ha) |
| Average depth | 10 feet (3.0 m) |
| Max. depth | 28 feet (8.5 m) |
| Water volume | 500 acre-feet (620,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 5 months |
| Shore length1 | 1.6 miles (2.6 km) |
| Surface elevation | 7,379 feet (2,249 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Minam Lake is a lake high up in the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon, USA. It's part of the beautiful Eagle Cap Wilderness. This special lake is actually a "reservoir," which means it's a natural lake that has been changed by people.
What makes Minam Lake unusual is that it has two places where water flows out! Water leaves the lake from its north side and its south side. The water flowing south goes into the Minam River. The water flowing north becomes the start of the Lostine River.
About Minam Lake
Minam Lake is located very high up, at about 7,379 feet (2,249 m) above sea level. It covers an area of about 59 acres (24 ha). The deepest part of the lake is around 28 feet (8.5 m).
How the Lake Was Changed
Originally, Minam Lake was a natural lake with only one outlet, which flowed south. But in the early 1900s, people made some big changes. They built a dam that was about 14 feet (4.3 m) tall near the south end of the lake.
The main reason for building this dam was to hold more water in the lake. It also helped to send some of that water north. This water was then used to help grow crops on farms in the Lostine Valley. This way, the lake became a "reservoir" that could store and direct water for farming.
What Does "Minam" Mean?
The name "Minam" has an interesting history. It's believed to come from an older native word, "e-mi-ne-mah." This word was used in the mid-1800s to describe the Minam River Valley.
In that valley, a special plant with roots that people could eat grew in large amounts. The "mah" part of the word "e-mi-ne-mah" meant "valley" or "canyon." So, the name "Minam" is connected to this valley and its edible plants.
