Redoubt Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Redoubt Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Redoubt Lake
Location in Alaska
Redoubt Lake
Location in North America
|
|
| Location | Baranof Island, Sitka City and Borough, Alaska, US |
| Coordinates | 56°53′28″N 135°14′52″W / 56.89111°N 135.24778°W |
| Type | Glacial lake, Meromictic |
| Primary outflows | Redoubt falls |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 9 mi (14 km) |
| Max. width | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Surface area | 3,200 acres (13 km2) |
| Average depth | 460 ft (140 m) |
| Max. depth | 870 ft (270 m) |
| Surface elevation | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
Redoubt Lake, also known as Kunaa Shak Áayi, is a long, narrow lake located on Baranof Island in Alaska. It is found near the city of Sitka within the huge Tongass National Forest. The lake sits in a valley that was carved out by glaciers long ago. In 1809, a Russian explorer named Ivan Vasilyev called it Ozero Glubokoye, which means "deep lake."
Contents
What Makes Redoubt Lake Special?
Redoubt Lake is one of the biggest meromictic lakes in North America. A meromictic lake is unique because its layers of water do not mix. Usually, a lake's water mixes from top to bottom, especially in spring and fall. But in Redoubt Lake, the water stays in separate layers.
How Deep is Redoubt Lake?
The top layer of Redoubt Lake, down to about 330 ft (100 m), is fresh water. Below this, there is a very dense layer of saltwater. This saltwater layer is much heavier and stays at the bottom. The lake is very deep, reaching a maximum depth of 870 ft (270 m). Its average depth is about 460 ft (140 m). The surface of the lake covers an area of 3,200 acres (13 km2).
Redoubt Lake's History
In the early 1800s, Redoubt Lake was part of Russian America. This was a time when Russia controlled parts of North America. The Russians built a small settlement near where the lake's water flows out. This place was known by several names, including Ozersk Redoubt or Dranishnikov Settlement.
Fishing for Salmon in the Past
The Russians used to set up special traps in Redoubt Lake to catch salmon. They would then salt and dry the fish at Ozersk Redoubt. Between 1817 and 1832, the Russians in Sitka and at Ozersk Redoubt would salt about 20,000 salmon every year. Sometimes, they caught more than 50,000 sockeye salmon in a single year from Redoubt Lake. It is thought that over 100,000 adult sockeye salmon might have returned to the lake to lay eggs each year.
Changes in Salmon Numbers
However, by the 1980s, the number of sockeye salmon returning to the lake had dropped a lot. On average, fewer than 10,000 salmon returned each year. In some years, the numbers were even lower, with only a few hundred salmon coming back.
