Waldo Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waldo Lake |
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 Waldo Lake
Location in Oregon
Waldo Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cascade Mountains, Lane County, Oregon, US |
| Coordinates | 43°43′48″N 122°02′32″W / 43.729918°N 122.0423006°W |
| Type | Alpine |
| Primary outflows | North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5.75 mi (9.25 km) |
| Max. width | 2.75 mi (4.43 km) |
| Surface area | > 10 sq mi (26 km2) |
| Average depth | mean: 128 ft (39 m) |
| Max. depth | 420 ft (130 m) |
| Water volume | 0.9537 km3 (0.2288 cu mi) |
| Residence time | 32 years |
| Surface elevation | 5,420 ft (1,650 m) |
Waldo Lake is a beautiful natural lake high up in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, a state in the United States. It is the second largest natural lake in Oregon that isn't salty or alkaline. The lake covers almost 10 square miles (26 km2) of water and is very deep, reaching 420 feet (130 m) at its deepest point. The lake was named after John B. Waldo, an important person in Oregon who was a politician, judge, and worked to protect nature.
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Where is Waldo Lake Located?
Waldo Lake is found in Lane County, high up at about 5,414 feet (1,650 m) above sea level. You can get to the lake by taking Forest Service Road 5897. This road branches off from Oregon Route 58, about 18 miles (29 km) east of a town called Oakridge. The forest road then goes for another 12 miles (19 km) right to the lake.
The Story of Waldo Lake
The area around Waldo Lake was first home to Native American tribes. Later, a Molalla Indian named Charlie Tufti discovered the lake. For a while, it was called Pengra Lake, named after Byron J. Pengra, who was a big supporter of building railroads.
Later, the lake was renamed to honor Judge John B. Waldo. He was a judge on the Oregon Supreme Court and worked hard to protect the natural beauty of the Cascade Mountains. His efforts helped create the Cascade Forest Reserve in 1893.
Before it became a popular spot for visitors, the area was used by sheep farmers for grazing their animals. In 1939, during the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps built the first recreation facilities here. More facilities were added by the Forest Service in 1971.
In 1979, about 10,000 people visited Waldo Lake each year. By 1989, that number grew to 32,000 visitors annually. In 1984, a large area of 37,000 acres (15,000 ha) around the lake was made into the Waldo Lake Wilderness. This means it's a protected natural area. In 1996, a forest fire called the Charlton fire came close to the lake. It caused campgrounds to be evacuated and burned a lot of the forest on the north side of the lake.
Old Plans for the Lake
Around 1905, there were ideas to use Waldo Lake as a reservoir. A reservoir is a large lake used to store water, often for farming or power. A company was even started in 1908 to make this happen.
Between 1909 and 1914, a 500-foot (150 m) tunnel was built from the lake to a nearby creek. This tunnel could lower the lake's water level by 25 feet (7.6 m). However, the company never succeeded, and the gates that controlled the water flow were sealed shut in 1960.
Lake Details
Waldo Lake covers about 9.8 square miles (25 km2), making it the eighth largest lake in Oregon. It is also very deep, with an average depth of 128 feet (39 m) and a maximum depth of 420 feet (130 m). This makes it the second deepest lake in Oregon, only after Crater Lake.
Just like Crater Lake, Waldo Lake has incredibly clear water. This is because it has very little organic material, which means there isn't much plant growth in the water. There are no permanent rivers or streams flowing into the lake that would bring in nutrients for plants. Because of this, on a clear day, you can see down into the water up to 120 feet (36.5 m)!
For many years, trout fish were added to the lake every other year. But in 1990, this practice stopped to help keep the water super clear. To protect the lake's quiet and clean environment, boats on Waldo Lake have a 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) speed limit. Since 2010, gasoline motors are not allowed on the lake, but electric motors can still be used.
Fun Things to Do at Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake is a very popular place to visit during the summer. People enjoy many activities here:
- Fishing
- Boating
- Hiking
- Camping
There are several campgrounds around the lake with a total of 205 official campsites. There are also 50 simpler tent sites for those who prefer a more rustic camping experience.
The Area Around Waldo Lake
Beyond the lake itself, the area includes the Waldo Lake Wilderness, which is a protected natural space. The famous Pacific Crest Trail, a long-distance hiking trail, also passes through this region. Waldo Lake is also the source of the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River, meaning this river starts here. There are many other small lakes and mountain peaks surrounding Waldo Lake.
Waldo Lake and its beautiful surroundings are all part of the Willamette National Forest, which is managed for recreation and conservation.
Images for kids
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Waldo Lake
