Salt Lake (Minnesota–South Dakota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Salt Lake |
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Southeast shore of Salt Lake
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 Salt Lake
Location in Minnesota
Salt Lake
Location in South Dakota
Salt Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota and Deuel County, South Dakota |
| Coordinates | 44°57′53″N 96°26′40″W / 44.96472°N 96.44444°W |
| Surface area | 312 acres (126 ha) |
Salt Lake is a natural lake located between the states of Minnesota and South Dakota in the United States. It is a special place because of its unique salty water and the many birds that visit it.
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Why Is Salt Lake Salty?
Salt Lake gets its name from the natural salt found along its shores. This salt comes from the ground around the lake, which has a lot of minerals. The lake's water is about one-third as salty as ocean water.
It is the only lake in Minnesota that has this kind of salty, or alkaline, water. Because of the salt, special plants called salt grasses grow along the edges of the lake and even in the water itself.
A Home for Many Birds
Salt Lake is a very popular spot for birdwatching in Minnesota. People who love birds have seen 141 different kinds of birds around the lake!
What Attracts the Birds?
The lake is full of tasty food for birds. Things like sago pondweed and tiny creatures called brine shrimp live in the water. These foods attract huge groups of waterfowl (like ducks) and shorebirds.
Birds You Might See
Some of the birds often seen at Salt Lake include avocets and willets. Many types of ducks also visit, such as the canvasback, gadwall, and shoveler.
Wet and Dry Cycles
Like other lakes in prairie areas, Salt Lake goes through wet and dry times. Sometimes, the lake can even dry up completely!
During these dry periods, the muddy areas around the lake become exposed. You can see white layers of salt covering the ground, which looks really cool!
