Tustumena Lake

Tustumena Lake (Dena'ina: Dusdu Bena) is a lake on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska, within Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and near the town of Kasilof. Access is only via the Kasilof River, as there are no roads that lead directly to the lake.

Tustumena Lake
The lower end of the lake seen from the Kasilof River outflow
Location of Tustumena Lake in Alaska, US
Location of Tustumena Lake in Alaska, US
Tustumena Lake
Location of Tustumena Lake in Alaska, US
Location of Tustumena Lake in Alaska, US
Tustumena Lake
LocationKenai Peninsula, Alaska
Coordinates60°13′46″N 150°56′28″W
Native nameDusdu Bena (Tanaina)
Primary inflowsGlacier Creek, other small streams
Primary outflowsKasilof River
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length25 miles (40 km)
Max. width6 miles (9.7 km)
Surface area73,000 acres (30,000 ha)
Average depth80 feet (24 m)
Max. depth950 feet (290 m)
Shore length171 miles (114 km)
Surface elevation112 feet (34 m)
IslandsCaribou Island
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Overview

At 73,437 acres (297.19 km2) Tustumena Lake is Alaska's eighth largest lake and the largest lake on the Kenai Peninsula. With a maximum depth of 950 feet (290 m), Tustumena Lake is exceptionally deep; it is deeper than Cook Inlet.[1] The lake is 25 miles (40 km) long and up to 6 miles (9.7 km) wide and receives drainage from Tustumena Glacier, and several creeks.[2]|[3] The outlet forms the headwaters of the Kasilof River. The lake and the area around it are known for game hunting, and for the Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race. Most of the land surrounding the lake is in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This lake has a reputation for being very dangerous to small boats due to the high winds that regularly blow off of Tustumena Glacier.

History

Early Russian explorers wrongly believed that this lake and Skilak Lake were a single body of water. Early trophy hunters from the 1890s and later took world record moose from the north shore, and the first hunting guide to obtain a license to guide hunters in the State of Alaska called this area home.[4]

References
The "Big Croked T" and landmark on the road to Tustumena Lake region and boat launch on Kasilof River. The lake itself is not directly accessible by road.
  1. "Tustumena Lake, Alaska, USA Vacation Info - LakeLubbers".
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Glacier Creek
  3. The Milepost 61st edition, page 615 ISBN 978-1892-15426-2
  4. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tustumena Lake


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