Omak Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Omak Lake |
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Aerial view of Omak Lake
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 Omak Lake
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Okanogan, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 48°16′42.56″N 119°23′52.18″W / 48.2784889°N 119.3978278°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Max. length | 0.88 mi (1.42 km) |
| Surface area | 3,243.9 acres (5.0686 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 325 ft (99 m) |
| Water volume | 30,710,000,000 cu ft (870,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 958 ft (292 m) |
| Settlements | Omak |
Omak Lake is a unique and very salty lake located in Washington state, United States. It is found within the Greater Omak Area. This lake is special because it is an "endorheic" lake. This means it does not have any rivers flowing out of it to the ocean. Water only leaves Omak Lake by evaporating into the air.
Omak Lake covers about 3,244 acres (13.13 square kilometers). It sits at an elevation of about 950 feet (290 meters) above sea level. Three small creeks help to feed the lake with water. With a depth of 325 feet (99 meters) and a large volume of water, Omak Lake is the biggest salty lake in Washington.
About Omak Lake
A Salty Lake
Omak Lake is known for being very salty, or "saline." This happens because it's an endorheic lake. When water flows into the lake, it brings tiny amounts of salt and minerals from the surrounding land. Since water can only leave the lake by evaporating, the salt and minerals are left behind. Over a very long time, this process makes the lake water saltier and saltier.
Location and Size
Omak Lake is located in Okanogan County, Washington. It's close to the city of Omak. The lake is quite large, covering an area similar to over 3,200 football fields. It is also very deep, reaching down 325 feet (99 meters) in some places. This makes it a significant body of water in the region.
History and Legends
Scientists believe that Omak Lake used to be a part of the Columbia River. Long ago, the river's path changed, leaving this section behind to become the lake we see today.
The Okanagan people, who are the native people of this area, had special beliefs about Omak Lake. They thought that spirits lived in the lake. Because of these beliefs, they often avoided the area around Omak Lake. This shows how important and mysterious the lake was to the people who lived there for centuries.
