Rattlesnake Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rattlesnake Lake |
|
|---|---|
View from Rattlesnake Ridge's Lower Ledge. Chester Morse Lake is in the far background
|
|
 Rattlesnake Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Rattlesnake Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | King County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°25′48″N 121°46′30″W / 47.43°N 121.775°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Average depth | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Max. depth | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Surface elevation | 911 ft (278 m) |
| Islands | 0 |
| Settlements | 1 |
Rattlesnake Lake is a beautiful lake located in the northwest United States. You can find it in the Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area in King County, Washington. It's about 30 miles east of Seattle, just south of Interstate 90. This popular spot is known for its clear waters and surrounding natural beauty.
Contents
History of Rattlesnake Lake
The Town of Moncton's Story
From 1906 to 1915, a small town called Moncton existed near the northern edge of Rattlesnake Lake. However, in the spring of 1915, the town faced a big problem. It was destroyed by flooding. This flood happened because water from the newly created Chester Morse Lake began to seep into Rattlesnake Lake. After the flood, the town was declared unsafe. Today, you can hardly find any signs of the old town of Moncton.
Who Manages Rattlesnake Lake?
Rattlesnake Lake is part of the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area. This area is owned and managed by Seattle Public Utilities. They manage it to protect the nearby watershed lands. A watershed is an area of land that drains water into a river or lake. This particular watershed provides 65% of the unfiltered drinking water for nearly 800,000 people in the Seattle region. It's important to know that Rattlesnake Lake itself is not used for drinking water. It gets its water from springs connected to the nearby Cedar River.
Fun Things to Do at Rattlesnake Lake
Rattlesnake Lake is a very popular place, especially during the summer months. Many people come here to enjoy the outdoors.
Hiking the Rattlesnake Ledge Trail
One of the most popular activities is hiking the Rattlesnake Ledge Hiking Trail. This trail starts from the north shore of the lake. It climbs about 1,160 feet over 2 miles of well-kept switchbacks. At the top, you reach the amazing Rattlesnake Ledge viewpoint. From here, you can see fantastic views overlooking the entire lake.
Fishing and Wildlife
Fishing is also a favorite pastime at the lake. Rattlesnake Lake is one of only two places in the North Puget Sound area where you must practice catch-and-release fishing. This means you catch the fish, but then you gently put them back into the water.
When the water level in the lake is low, you can see many old tree stumps sticking out. These stumps are often used by different kinds of birds as places to build their nests.
Other Outdoor Activities
The wide, grassy areas around the lake are perfect for many outdoor activities. People often come here for slacklining, which is like walking on a tightrope. It's also a great spot for picnicking with friends and family.
