Willow Lake (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willow Lake |
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 Willow Lake
Location in Idaho
Willow Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°04′27″N 114°33′38″W / 44.074092°N 114.560419°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Little Boulder Creek to East Fork Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 260 m (850 ft) |
| Max. width | 173 m (568 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 2,665 m (8,743 ft) |
Willow Lake is a beautiful mountain lake found in Custer County, Idaho, United States. It sits high up in the White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Imagine a lake surrounded by tall peaks and fresh air – that's Willow Lake! It's a special kind of lake called an alpine lake, meaning it's located at a very high elevation in the mountains.
Where is Willow Lake?
Willow Lake is tucked away in the central part of Idaho. It's found in a big outdoor area known as the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This area is famous for its stunning mountains, forests, and many lakes.
To reach Willow Lake, adventurers often use Sawtooth National Forest trail 683. This trail helps people hike through the beautiful forest right to the lake's edge.
Mountain Neighbors
Willow Lake isn't alone in the mountains. It's located just northeast of a peak called Merriam Peak.
The lake is also part of a group of lakes known as the Boulder Chain Lakes Basin. This means there are other lakes nearby, all connected by the same mountain landscape.
How Willow Lake Formed
Willow Lake is a glacial lake. This means it was formed a very long time ago by huge sheets of ice called glaciers. As these glaciers moved slowly across the land, they carved out deep hollows in the ground. When the glaciers melted, these hollows filled with water, creating lakes like Willow Lake.
The lake is quite high up, sitting at an elevation of about 2,665 meters (or 8,743 feet) above sea level.
