Moses Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moses Lake |
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Aerial view from the north (2009). Moses Lake is at lower left and the Potholes Reservoir at center.
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 Moses Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Moses Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grant County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°04′51″N 119°19′31″W / 47.0809°N 119.3254°W |
| Type | natural lake, reservoir |
| Primary inflows |
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| Primary outflows | Potholes Reservoir (to Lower Crab Creek) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 6,800 acres (28 km2) |
| Average depth | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Max. depth | 38 ft (12 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,046 ft (319 m) |
Moses Lake is a large lake in Washington state, USA. It is also a reservoir, which means its water level is controlled by a dam. The lake is part of the bigger Columbia River basin, as its water eventually flows into the Columbia River.
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Discovering Moses Lake
Moses Lake was once a natural, shallow lake. In the early 1900s, a dam was built. This changed the lake into a reservoir. The dam helped store water for irrigation, which means watering crops.
How Water Flows In and Out
Moses Lake gets water from two creeks: Crab Creek and Rocky Ford Creek. It also receives water from farms that use irrigation. This water runs off the fields and into the lake.
The water from Moses Lake used to flow back into Crab Creek. Now, it flows into another large storage area. This area is called Potholes Reservoir. It was created by building O'Sullivan Dam on Crab Creek.
The Columbia Basin Project
Moses Lake is an important part of the Columbia Basin Project. This big project was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Its main goal was to bring water to dry farmland in Washington state. It helped many farms grow crops.
Shape and Islands of Moses Lake
Moses Lake has a very interesting shape. It is not just a simple oval. It has several long, narrow parts that stick out, like fingers. These are called "horns."
Exploring the Horns
Some of the main horns of Moses Lake include:
- Lewis Horn
- Parker Horn
- Pelican Horn
Islands in the Lake
There are also several islands in Moses Lake. These islands add to the lake's unique look. Some of the islands you can find are:
- Crest Island
- Marsh Island
- Gaileys Island
- Goat Island
How Moses Lake Got Its Name
Moses Lake was named a long time ago, in the late 1800s. It was named after a very important person.
Chief Moses
The lake is named after Chief Moses. He was a leader of the Sinkiuse-Columbia people. He was a respected figure in the region.
The City of Moses Lake
The city of Moses Lake is also named after the lake. The city was not always called Moses Lake. Its first name was Neppel. It officially became Moses Lake in 1938.
