Woahink Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woahink Lake |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Woahink Lake
Location in Oregon
Woahink Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Near Pacific Ocean coast in Lane County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43°54′55″N 124°06′01″W / 43.91528°N 124.10028°W |
| Type | Natural, permanent, oligotrophic |
| Primary outflows | Woahink Creek |
| Catchment area | 7 square miles (18 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 820 acres (330 ha) |
| Average depth | 33 feet (10 m) |
| Max. depth | 74 feet (23 m) |
| Water volume | 26,700 acre-feet (32,900,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 1.2 years |
| Shore length1 | 14 miles (23 km) |
| Surface elevation | 43 feet (13 m) |
| Settlements | North Beach, Dunes City |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Woahink Lake (pronounced hō' hingk) is a special lake in Oregon. It goes deeper below sea level than any other lake in Oregon that was formed by sand dunes. These dunes act like a natural wall, holding the lake in place.
The lake is about 3 miles (4.8 km) from the Pacific Ocean. It is located south of Florence along U.S. Route 101. The deepest part of the lake is about 74 feet (23 m) deep. This means its lowest point is about 36 feet (11 m) below sea level. Water from Woahink Lake flows south into Siltcoos Lake through a stream called Woahink Creek. The lake's name might come from the Siuslaw language, which was spoken by local Native American tribes.
How Woahink Lake Formed
Woahink Lake used to be an estuary. An estuary is a place where a river meets the sea. Over time, sand dunes blocked the water, turning the estuary into a lake. This happened when sea levels rose after the last ice age. Sand from nearby rivers helped create these large sand dunes.
Scientists studied the lake by taking a core sample from its bottom. They found that a dune formed about 7,400 years ago, changing the estuary into a lake. This natural dam broke once, but then formed again before 5,400 years ago. Unlike the nearby Siltcoos Lake, Woahink Lake is narrow and has steep sides.
The Lake's Surroundings
The area around Woahink Lake is called its drainage basin or watershed. This basin covers about 7 square miles (18 km2). On the west side, there are sand dunes that are part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. To the east, you can find the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range.
U.S. Route 101 runs along the west side of the lake. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park is located at the northwest corner of the lake. The small community of North Beach is between Woahink and Siltcoos lakes. North Beach and other neighborhoods near the lake are part of Dunes City. Most of the land around the lake is privately owned, except for the state park. The area gets about 80 inches (2,000 mm) of rain each year. Many coniferous trees grow in the undeveloped parts of the land.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Woahink Lake is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. Fishing is a favorite pastime here. You can catch different kinds of fish, including largemouth bass, rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, and yellow perch.
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park has a part on the east side of the highway near Woahink Lake. This area offers many things to do. There are boat ramps where you can launch your boat. There is also a special swimming area that is roped off for safety. If you like camping, there are group tent camps available. You can also enjoy picnics in the designated areas. A meeting hall is also available for gatherings.
The Lake Woahink Seaplane Base is located right on the lake. This is a place where seaplanes can land and take off from the water. The main office for the seaplane base is in Florence.
