Rock Lake (Washington)

Rock Lake is the deepest and largest of all scabland lakes left behind from the Missoula Floods, and holds that distinction for all of eastern Washington.[2][3] At its deepest, it is more than 360 feet (110 m) deep, although the official measurement is uncertain.[4][5] The lake is over 7 miles (11 km) long and averages 1 mile (1.6 km) in width, and is accessible via a solitary landing area located on the south end.[5] The rest of the shoreline is inaccessible to vehicles, other than a few private properties.

Rock Lake
View of Rock Lake from south end
Location of Rock Lake in Washington, USA.
Location of Rock Lake in Washington, USA.
Rock Lake
Location of Rock Lake in Washington, USA.
Location of Rock Lake in Washington, USA.
Rock Lake
LocationWhitman County, WA
Coordinates47°10′40″N 117°41′01″W
TypeKolk lake
Primary inflowsRock Creek
Primary outflowsRock Creek
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length7 mi (11 km)[1]
Max. width1 mi (1.6 km)[1]
Surface area2,190 acres (890 ha)[2]
Max. depth375 feet (114 m)
Surface elevation1,728 ft (527 m)[2]
SettlementsSt. John

Located approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of Cheney, Rock Lake is in a moderately remote location. Other towns in the area include Sprague, St. John, and Rosalia, although all are a number of miles away.

Rock Lake receives the majority of its water from Rock Creek, which further downstream is a tributary of the Palouse River, as well as Negro Creek. The lake is approximately 7 miles (11 km) long and 1-mile (1.6 km) wide and has a wildly varying depth with steep drop offs that reach over 300 feet.[6] About half a mile from the boat launch, the lakes characteristic geography can be seen, with its high basalt cliff walls on either side with rock pillars and spires protruding from the bottom of the lake. The steep basalt cliffs and stone pinnacles that can rupture a hull and a lack of shoreline coupled with the wind tunnel effect with the regions notable Palouse winds has led to many deaths on the lake.[6][7] In addition to the perils in the lake, the banks of the lake are also habitat for rattlesnakes in the spring and summer months.[7]

Recreation

The primary recreation activity on Rock Lake is fishing. Popular sport fishing species in the lake include: Crappie, Brown trout, Bluegill, and Rainbow trout.[2]

Running along the eastern shore of the lake is the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, which is a converted rail trail.[7] This section of trail is now open, completing open access from Idaho to North Bend, Wa with the addition of the rail bridge over the Columbia River near Vantage..[8][9]

Dam considerations

A dam was first considered at the mouth of Rock Lake in the lake 1930s, and base columns were installed.[10] The idea of a dam was abandoned at that point, because of the difficulty the topography would present.

Recently, interest in building a dam at this site has been renewed. Representatives of the Palouse-Rock Lake Conservation District are interested in having a dam built for the primary purpose of stabilizing water supply to right-holders below the dam by creating a consistent flow throughout the year.[10] The current plans for a dam would impound 110,000-120,000 acre feet of water.[10][11]

Reference list
  1. Allen, John Eliot; Burns, Marjorie; Burns, Scott (2009). Cataclysms on the Columbia: The Great Missoula Floods. Ooligan Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-1-932010-31-2. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  2. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. "Rock Lake". Retrieved 2015-01-16.
  3. Bjornstad, Bruce; Kiver, Eugene (2012). On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods: The Northern Reaches. Sandpoint, Idaho: Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc. p. 33. ISBN 978-187962839-7.
  4. "Opening day and beyond: Cheney-area trout lakes". Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  5. "Rock Lake". Spokane Outdoors. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  6. "Rock Lake tragedy explored". Gonzaga Bulletin. April 10, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  7. Powell, Charlie (April 9, 1995). "The Mysteries Of Rock Lake The Fishing's Good, But It Doesn't Quite Stand Up To The Area's Tall Tales". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  8. Prager, Mike (2014-02-28). "Palouse section of old rail line to get master plan for trail". Spokesman Review. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  9. Hoch, Don (2014-03-27). "Item E-3: Iron Horse State Park – Master Plan Addendum – Requested Action". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  10. "Columbia River Water Management Program Grant Application" (PDF). Washington State Department of Ecology. 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  11. "OCR Funded Projects" (PDF). Washington State Department of Ecology. November 2009. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
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