Mink Lake (Lane County, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mink Lake |
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Fog on Mink Lake
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 Mink Lake
Location in Oregon
Mink Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lane County, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°55′49″N 121°55′25″W / 43.93028°N 121.92361°W |
| Type | Natural, ultraoligotrophic |
| Catchment area | 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 139 acres (56 ha) |
| Average depth | 37 feet (11 m) |
| Max. depth | 85 feet (26 m) |
| Water volume | 5,200 acre-feet (6,400,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 5,039 feet (1,536 m) |
Mink Lake is a beautiful lake located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the second-largest wilderness lake in Oregon. A wilderness lake means it is in a natural area, far from cities.
Mink Lake sits high up, about 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above sea level. It is on a lava plateau in the Three Sisters Wilderness. This area is in eastern Lane County. A lava plateau is a flat area made from old lava flows. Mink Lake is one of many lakes in the Mink Lake Basin. It covers about 139 acres (56 ha).
Exploring Mink Lake and Its Surroundings
You can reach the Mink Lake Basin by hiking trails. These trails start from many different directions. The basin is also where the South Fork McKenzie River begins.
The famous Pacific Crest Trail passes close by. It runs about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the lake. This trail goes all the way from Mexico to Canada!
There are many natural places to camp around Mink Lake. It's a great spot for outdoor adventures. Just remember that mosquitoes can be a problem in warm weather.
A Super Clean Lake
Mink Lake is known for being incredibly clean. Very few chemicals or nutrients enter the lake. Because of this, it is called ultraoligotrophic. This means it has very clear water and low levels of plant life. It is thought to be one of the cleanest lakes in Oregon.
You can go fishing at Mink Lake. The fish are there because they are stocked. This means young fish are added to the lake. You might catch Rainbow or cutthroat trout. These fish usually range from 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) long.
