Waterdog Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waterdog Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Waterdog Lake
Location in Idaho
Waterdog Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°04′21″N 114°33′27″W / 44.072499°N 114.557543°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Little Boulder Creek to East Fork Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 60 m (200 ft) |
| Max. width | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 2,660 m (8,730 ft) |
Waterdog Lake is a beautiful mountain lake located in Custer County, Idaho, in the United States. It is nestled high up in the White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This special lake is a great place to explore nature.
Contents
Waterdog Lake: A Mountain Gem
Waterdog Lake is known as an alpine lake. This means it is found high up in the mountains, usually above the tree line or in areas with very cold winters. These lakes often have clear, cold water. Waterdog Lake sits at a high elevation of about 2,660 meters (or 8,727 feet) above sea level. That's really high up!
How Waterdog Lake Was Formed
Waterdog Lake is a type of lake called a glacial lake. This means it was created a very long time ago by giant sheets of ice called glaciers. As glaciers slowly moved down the mountains, they carved out big hollows in the ground. When the glaciers melted, these hollows filled with water, forming lakes like Waterdog Lake. The lake is about 60 meters (197 feet) long and 25 meters (82 feet) wide.
Exploring the Area Around the Lake
Waterdog Lake is part of a larger group of lakes known as the Boulder Chain Lakes Basin. It is located in the lower part of this basin. If you look northeast from the lake, you can see Merriam Peak, a tall mountain nearby.
The lake is found within the Sawtooth National Forest. This forest is a huge area of protected land where people can enjoy nature. To reach Waterdog Lake, visitors can hike along Sawtooth National Forest trail 683. This trail helps people explore the beautiful mountain scenery.
Water Flow In and Out
Even though Waterdog Lake doesn't have any rivers flowing into it, it does have water flowing out. The water from Waterdog Lake flows into a stream called Little Boulder Creek. This creek then joins the East Fork Salmon River, which is a larger river in Idaho. This shows how water connects different parts of the natural world.
