Battle Ground Lake State Park

Battle Ground Lake State Park is a 280-acre (110 ha) public recreation area located three miles (4.8 km) northeast of the city of Battle Ground, Washington. The state park is covered by an evergreen forest that surrounds a crater lake of volcanic origin. The park is managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.[2]

Battle Ground Lake State Park
Lake surrounded by pines
Battle Ground Lake State Park is located in Washington (state)
Battle Ground Lake State Park
Battle Ground Lake State Park
Location in the state of Washington
Battle Ground Lake State Park is located in the United States
Battle Ground Lake State Park
Battle Ground Lake State Park
Battle Ground Lake State Park (the United States)
LocationClark County, Washington, United States
Coordinates45°48′17″N 122°29′38″W[1]
Area280 acres (110 ha)[2]
Elevation509 ft (155 m)[1]
Established1966
Administered byWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission
DesignationWashington state park
Named forCity of Battle Ground
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
Battle Ground Lake
Lake
Aerial view of the lake and park
Aerial view of the lake and park
Formed byMagma induced steam explosion
GeologyMaar
Surface elevation509 ft (155 m)[1]
Volcanic fieldBoring Lava Field
Area25.4 acres (10.3 ha)[3]

History

The park is the site of a 400-foot (120 m) volcano in the Boring Lava Field where a magma-induced steam explosion 105,000 years ago[4] made a large bean-shaped crater, a maar, which later filled with water, forming a crater lake.[5] The lake was the site of a resort dating from the 1920s when a consortium of businessmen planned an upgrade that would include the addition of a dance hall, "swimming tanks," and amusements plus a power plant and electric lights.[6] From 1964 to 1968, the resort was operated by Virgil Dollar, a member of the family for whom the nearby intersection of Dollars Corner was named.[7] The state initiated acquisition of the site in 1965,[8] with purchase for US$550,000 approved in 1966.[9] At a meeting in 1970, the State Parks and Recreation Commission determined that "Battle Ground" should be spelled as two words in deference to the spelling of the nearby city.[10]

Activities and amenities

The park includes a swimming area, boat launch, campground, and cabin rentals. Hiking and bridle trails ring the lake and criss-cross the summit area.[2] Rainbow trout and coastal cutthroat trout are stocked during late winter through spring. Largemouth bass, grass carp, and crappie are present, with trout fishing the main attraction for anglers, especially on opening day.[3]

References
  1. "Battle Ground Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. "Battle Ground Lake State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  3. "Battle Ground Lake". Fishing and Shellfishing: Lowland Lakes. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  4. Ellen Morris Bishop; John E. Allen (2004). Hiking Oregon's Geology. The Mountaineers Books. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-89886-847-0.
  5. "The Boring Volcanic Field — Hills of the Portland Basin". Cascades Volcano Observatory. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  6. "Resort will be improved". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Wash. June 7, 1921. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  7. "The Dollar Family". Clark County History. The Columbian. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  8. "State seeks park land". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Wash. September 21, 1965. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  9. "Cascade park favored". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Wash. February 22, 1966. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  10. "State Parks Commission O.K.s land purchase". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Wash. June 9, 1970. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
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