Snow Lake (Nevada) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snow Lake |
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 Snow Lake
Location in Nevada
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| Location | Ruby Mountains, Elko County, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 40°36′06″N 115°24′00″W / 40.60167°N 115.40000°W |
| Type | tarn |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 10,150 ft (3,090 m) |
Snow Lake is a beautiful mountain lake found in the Ruby Mountains of Elko County, Nevada. It is a special type of lake called a tarn. A tarn is a lake that forms in a bowl-shaped hollow, carved out by a glacier long ago.
Snow Lake sits at the very top of Box Canyon. It is located just south of a mountain peak also named Snow Lake Peak. The lake is very high up, at an elevation of about 10,150 feet (3,094 meters) above sea level. This makes it one of the higher lakes in the area.
Contents
What is a Tarn?
A tarn is a lake that forms in a place where a glacier used to be. Imagine a giant sheet of ice, like a slow-moving river of ice. As this glacier moves down a mountain, it carves out the land. It scoops out big, bowl-shaped areas.
How Tarns Form
When the climate gets warmer, the glacier melts. The water from the melted ice fills up these bowl-shaped hollows. This creates a tarn, which is a lake surrounded by mountains. Snow Lake is a great example of this process.
Location in the Ruby Mountains
Snow Lake is located in the Ruby Mountains. These mountains are in the northeastern part of Nevada. The Ruby Mountains are known for their rugged beauty. They have many high peaks, deep canyons, and clear lakes.
Exploring the Ruby Mountains
The Ruby Mountains are a popular place for outdoor activities. People enjoy hiking, camping, and fishing there. The mountains are home to many different kinds of plants and animals. The high elevation means the weather can change quickly.
Images for kids
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Snow Lake in the Ruby Mountains.
