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Potholes Reservoir
Aerial view of Moses Lake & Potholes Reservoir, Washington 01A.jpg
Aerial view from the north (2009). Moses Lake is at lower left and the Potholes Reservoir at center.
Location of Potholes Reservoir in Washington, USA.
Location of Potholes Reservoir in Washington, USA.
Potholes Reservoir
Location in Washington (state)
Location of Potholes Reservoir in Washington, USA.
Location of Potholes Reservoir in Washington, USA.
Potholes Reservoir
Location in the United States
Location Grant County, Washington,
United States
Coordinates 46°58′57″N 119°17′28″W / 46.98250°N 119.29111°W / 46.98250; -119.29111
Lake type Reservoir
Basin countries United States
Average depth 18 feet (5.5 m)
Max. depth 142 feet (43 m)
Surface elevation 1,043 feet (318 m)

The Potholes Reservoir is part of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. It is formed by the O'Sullivan Dam and located in central Washington, in the United States. The reservoir is fed by water from Moses Lake, part of the Crab Creek basin.

The area features several lakes (typically 30-70 yards wide and 10–30 feet deep). These lakes, known as "potholes" were created through both natural and man made processes. The potholes were initially carved out during the Pleistocene by flood waters originating from Glacial Lake Missoula. Subsequent damming of the area by the Columbia Basin Project raised the water table high enough to allow these topographical depressions to become lakes.

Also known as:

  • Moses Lake
  • O'Sullivan Reservoir
  • Mardon
  • Mardon Resort

Recreation

On the shore of the reservoir is Potholes State Park, a 640-acre (2.6 km2) member of the Washington State Park System. It has 6,000 feet (1,800 m) of shoreline on the reservoir.

Fishing

There are many types of fish inside of the reservoir, including:

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