Riffe Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Riffe Lake |
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 Riffe Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Riffe Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lewis County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°32′4″N 122°25′43″W / 46.53444°N 122.42861°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Cowlitz River |
| Primary outflows | Cowlitz River |
| Catchment area | 1,400 sq mi (3,630 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 23.5 mi (37.8 km) |
| Surface area | 11,830 acres (47.9 km2) |
| Max. depth | 360 feet (110 m) |
| Shore length1 | 52 mi (83.7 km) |
| Surface elevation | 778.5 ft (237 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Riffe Lake is a large, human-made lake in the state of Washington, in the United States. It stretches about 23.5 miles (37.8 kilometers) long. This lake is actually a type of lake called a reservoir, which means it was created by building a dam across a river.
Riffe Lake was formed in 1968 when the Mossyrock Dam was built on the Cowlitz River. The dam was constructed by Tacoma Power, a company that provides electricity. The lake was first called Mossyrock Lake, then later Davisson Lake. In 1976, it was renamed Riffe Lake after a small community called Riffe. This community, along with parts of another town called Kosmos, Washington, became covered by water when the lake filled up. The people living there had to move to new homes.
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What is a Reservoir?
A reservoir is like a giant bathtub built by people. It holds a lot of water, usually from a river, behind a large wall called a dam. Reservoirs are important because they can store water for many uses.
Why are Reservoirs Built?
People build reservoirs for several reasons. They can help control floods by holding back extra water during heavy rains. They also provide a steady supply of drinking water for towns and cities. Another big reason is to create electricity using the power of the water flowing through the dam.
Fish and Wildlife in Riffe Lake
Riffe Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. If you like fishing, you might find rainbow trout and brown trout here. There are also landlocked coho salmon, which are salmon that live their whole lives in freshwater. Other fish include large mouth and small mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and perch.
Fishing in the Lake
Fishing is a popular activity at Riffe Lake. Many people enjoy trying to catch the different fish species that live there. It's a great place to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature.
