Saint Mary Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Mary Lake |
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Saint Mary Lake and Wild Goose Island
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 Saint Mary Lake
Location in Montana
Saint Mary Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Glacier National Park (U.S.), Glacier County, Montana |
| Coordinates | 48°40′58″N 113°32′44″W / 48.68278°N 113.54556°W |
| Type | Natural |
| Primary outflows | St. Mary River (Alberta–Montana) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 9.9 mi (15.9 km) |
| Surface area | 3,923 acres (15.88 km2) |
| Max. depth | 300 ft (91 m) |
| Surface elevation | 4,484 ft (1,367 m) |
Saint Mary Lake is a beautiful and important lake located in Glacier National Park, in the Montana part of the United States. It is the second-largest lake in this famous national park. This stunning lake is known for its very cold, clear waters and amazing mountain views.
Contents
Discover Saint Mary Lake
Saint Mary Lake is found on the eastern side of Glacier National Park. The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road runs right alongside the lake's northern edge. This makes it easy for visitors to see its beauty.
Location and Size
Saint Mary Lake sits very high up, about 4,484 feet (1,367 meters) above sea level. It is much higher than Lake McDonald, the park's largest lake, which is on the park's west side. The land here changes quickly from flat plains to tall Rocky Mountains.
The lake is about 9.9 miles (15.9 kilometers) long. It is also very deep, reaching about 300 feet (91 meters) down. The surface of the lake covers an area of about 3,923 acres (15.88 square kilometers).
Cold Waters and Wildlife
The water in Saint Mary Lake is usually very cold. It rarely gets warmer than 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Because of this, the lake is a great home for different kinds of trout fish.
In the winter, the lake often freezes completely over. The ice can get very thick, sometimes up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep. This makes the lake a stunning, frozen landscape.
Wild Goose Island
One of the most famous spots on Saint Mary Lake is Wild Goose Island. This tiny island rises only about 14 feet (4.3 meters) above the water. Even though it's small, it looks amazing against the huge lake and tall mountains. It is one of the most photographed places along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Did You Know?
The opening scene of the 1980 movie The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was filmed at Saint Mary Lake.
Gallery
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Aerial panorama of Saint Mary Lake.
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Saint Mary Lake as seen from Sun Point.
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A wide view of Saint Mary Lake.
See also
In Spanish: Lago Saint Mary para niños
