Elk Lake (Oregon)

For other places with the same name, see Elk Lake.

Elk Lake is a natural body of water in the central Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Oregon. Nearly 4,900 feet (1,500 m) above sea level, the lake is part of a volcanic landscape about 25 miles (40 km) west-southwest of Bend along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.^[2]

Elk Lake
The lake with South Sister in the background
Elk Lake Show map of Oregon Elk Lake Show map of the United States
Location	Deschutes County, Oregon
Coordinates	43°58′27″N 121°48′09″W
Lake type	Natural, oligotrophic
Primary inflows	Snowmelt, seepage
Primary outflows	None on the surface
Catchment area	13 square miles (34 km2)
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	405 acres (164 ha)
Average depth	12 feet (3.7 m)
Max. depth	62 feet (19 m)
Water volume	7,000 acre-feet (8.6×10^6 m3)
Residence time	1 year
Shore length1	5.1 miles (8.2 km)
Surface elevation	4,882 feet (1,488 m)
Settlements	Bend
References	[1][2][3]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Elk Lake is about 6 miles (10 km) west of Mount Bachelor in Deschutes National Forest. Nearby lakes include Hosmer, Sparks, Blow, Doris, Devils, Lava, and Little Lava.^[4]

Heavily used for recreation, the lake is among the most popular of the Cascade Lakes.^[2] Its name stems from the large number of elk that formerly frequented the area in summer.^[2] During winter, Elk Lake freezes, and access roads are usually closed by snow until late May.^[2]

Recreation

The United States Forest Service manages campgrounds, boat launches, and picnic sites at various locations around the lake, also served by a private resort with cabins.^[2] Lake activities include sailing, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing.^[5]

The lake supports populations of brook trout generally ranging from 7 to 14 inches (18 to 36 cm) and kokanee averaging 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm).^[5] Hiking trails leading to other high-elevation lake groups, such as those in the Mink Lake basin, begin at Elk Lake.^[2]

See also

• List of lakes in Oregon

References

1. Johnson, Daniel M.; Petersen, Richard R.; Lycan, D. Richard; Sweet, James W.; Neuhaus, Mark E., and Schaedel, Andrew L. (1985). Atlas of Oregon Lakes. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. pp. 74–75. ISBN 0-87071-343-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. "Atlas of Oregon Lakes: Elk Lake (Deschutes County)". Portland State University. 1985–2012. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
3. "Elk Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
4. United States Geological Survey (USGS). "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map". TopoQuest. Retrieved January 2, 2013..
5. Sheehan, Madelynne Diness (2005). Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. pp. 222–23. ISBN 0-916473-15-5.