Skilak Lake

Skilak Lake (Dena'ina: Q'es Dudilen Bena) is a large lake on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The lake is part of the Kenai River system but also contains glacial runoff, being fed by meltwater from Skilak Glacier. The water is exceptionally clear with a mostly rocky bottom, relatively free of aquatic vegetation. It is within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and can be accessed by Skilak Lake Loop Road via the Sterling Highway. Maximum depth is 528 feet (161 m), it is 15 miles (24 km) long and up to 4 miles (6.4 km) wide in places. Early Russian explorers mistakenly believed Skilak and Tustumena Lake to be a single body of water.[1] It is a popular destination for Alaskans due to it being only about a half-hour drive from Soldotna, and approximately two hours from Anchorage. There are two campgrounds at the lake, one is a developed campground with a host, the other un-hosted and with only basic facilities.[2] There are many well-developed and maintained trails along the lake and its access road, as well as campgrounds and public-access cabins.[3][4]

Skilak Lake
Location of Skilak Lake in Alaska, US
Location of Skilak Lake in Alaska, US
Skilak Lake
Location of Skilak Lake in Alaska, US
Location of Skilak Lake in Alaska, US
Skilak Lake
LocationKenai Peninsula, Alaska
Coordinates60°24′59″N 150°20′02″W
Primary inflowsSkilak River, Kenai River
Primary outflowsKenai River
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length15 mi (24 km)
Max. depth528 ft (161 m)
Surface elevation194 ft (59 m)
Frozenlate Nov.- late April
IslandsFrying Pan Island, Caribou Island
The turquoise water of Skilak Lake and the Kenai River delta, as seen from the air

See also

References
The upper end of the lake seen from Skilak Lake Road, to the left is the Kenai River delta, in the distance is the Skiak Glacier floodplain
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Skilak Lake
  2. The Milepost, 59th edition, page 588. ISBN 9781892154217
  3. "Hiking". Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. US Fish and Wildlife Service. February 26, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  4. "Cabin Program".


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