- Cultus Lake (Oregon)
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Cultus Lake 
Cultus Lake Location Deschutes County, Oregon Coordinates 43°50′16″N 121°51′36″W / 43.83766°N 121.86006°WCoordinates: 43°50′16″N 121°51′36″W / 43.83766°N 121.86006°W Basin countries United States Max. length 2 mi (3.2 km) Max. depth 211 ft (64 m) Cultus Lake is a lake in Deschutes County, Oregon. Formed by a glacier, it is located in the high Cascade Range in the Deschutes National Forest. The name is from the Chinook Jargon, and means variously bad or worthless, or simply "in vain".[1] In the early 19th century, the lakes in this area abounded with beavers. The earliest explorers to this area were primarily on a quest for furs.
Contents
Description
Satellite Image of Cultus Lake
Image of Cultus Mountain. Taken from Little Cultus LakeCultus Lake lies at the base of the Cultus Mountain. The lake itself is natural and is 211 feet (64 m) at its deepest point and about two miles long. Two species of fish inhabit the lake: rainbow trout and mackinaw usually caught with flatfish or anything shiny like a minnow.
The lake also has a creek running into it inhabited by young fish and minnows, a popular fly fishing spot. The lake has a twin lake called Little Cultus Lake and the lakes are divided by Cultus Mountain.[2]
The area around Cultus Lake is known for its old growth large Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir and western White Pine, sometimes rising to 120 feet (37 m) tall. However, according to the U.S. Fish and Wild Game Service, the large pines are being weakened by competing understory fir trees and pine beetle attacks. If the trend is not reversed, there will be a shift in tree species (and tree size) from pines and Douglas-fir to white-firs.
The Service is recommending the selective thinning of white fir understory trees around selected ponderosa and western white pine to increase light, and the availability of nutrients, allowing the selected pines to grow more vigorously and increase their resistance to bark beetles.[3]
Management policies
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the lake for the natural and hatchery production of rainbow trout and brook trout. They also manage the natural production of Mountain Whitefish and lake trout.[4]
Amenities
Cultus is a recreational lake and is also popular for water skiing, sailing, jet skiing and boating.
The lake has a resort with 23 cabins, a lodge with a restaurant and store. There are also three other campsites for people to set up tents or park RV's.
See also
- List of lakes in Oregon
- Little Cultus Lake
References
- ^ "Dictionary.com Definitions for Cultus". http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Cultus. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "Cultus Lake". http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/recreation/fishing/lake-reservoir/cultus.shtml. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
- ^ "Cultus Lake Thinning". http://www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/WoodyBiomassUtilization/vegmgt/success_stories/index.php?story=cultuslake. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
- ^ "Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife". http://www.dfw.state.or.us/OHRC/. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
External links
Media related to Cultus Lake (Oregon) at Wikimedia CommonsCategories:- Lakes of Oregon
- Chinook Jargon placenames
- Landforms of Deschutes County, Oregon
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