- Ross Lake
Infobox_lake
lake_name = Ross Lake
image_lake = Rosslake.jpg
caption_lake = From Desolation Peak (looking south)
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location =Washington /British Columbia
coords = coord|48|52|N|121|2|W|type:waterbody_region:CA/US|display=inline,title
type =reservoir
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = United States, Canada
length = convert|23|mi|km|abbr=on
width = convert|1.5|mi|km|1|abbr=on
area =
depth =
max-depth = convert|540|ft|m|abbr=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|1604|ft|m|abbr=on
islands =
cities = "none"Ross Lake is a large reservoir in the North Cascade mountains of northern
Washington state, USA, and southwesternBritish Columbia ,Canada . Thelake runs approximately north-south, is 23 miles (37 km) long, up to 1.5 miles (2.5 km) wide, and the full reservoir elevation is 1,604 feet above sea level (489 m).The U.S. portion of Ross Lake is in the
Ross Lake National Recreation Area .North Cascades National Park is adjacent to the west and south, while thePasayten Wilderness is east of the lake. In British Columbia the lake is a part ofSkagit Valley Provincial Park , and Manning Provincial Park is nearby to the east.Hydrology
Ross Lake is formed by the impoundment of the
Skagit River byRoss Dam , which is operated bySeattle City Light for hydroelectric power generation serving Seattle, Washington, and surrounding areas. After leaving Ross Lake, the Skagit River flows through two more reservoirs before running toPuget Sound .High peaks surround Ross Lake in all directions, and include
Hozomeen Mountain , Ruby Mountain, Desolation Peak, and Jack Mountain, the summit of which is over 7,000 feet above the elevation of the lake. Rivers and creeks flowing into Ross Lake include the upperSkagit River , Hozomeen Creek, Silver Creek, Little Beaver Creek, Arctic Creek, Lightning Creek, Devils Creek, Big Beaver Creek, and Ruby Creek. Most of these creeks originate fromglacier s and snowfields high in the North Cascades.Islands
* Cat Island
* Tenmile Island
* Little Jerusalem Island
* Cougar IslandHistory
Ross Dam, originally called Ruby Dam, was built in three stages between
1937 and1949 , and currently stands 540 feet (165 m) tall. A fourth stage of construction was planned for thedam ; however, in1984 Seattle City Light made an electricity-purchasing agreement with British Columbia which delayed any further expansion of the Ross Lake Dam for 80 years. The lake and dam are named after James D. Ross, the superintendent of the Seattle City Light’sSkagit River Hydroelectric Project , which built the dam.Recreation
Ross Lake is a major recreation destination within the North Cascades, attracting visitors with a multitude of
fishing ,canoe ing, kayaking, andhiking opportunities. Thetrout fishing, in particular, is well-renowned. Ross Dam, as well as Gorge and Diablo dams downstream, are barriers preventingsalmon from travelling between Ross Lake and thePacific Ocean ; thus, Ross Lake has no anadromous fishes.Camping is allowed at a number of boat-in and hike-in campsites around the lake. Backcountry camping permits (free, first come first serve) are required, and may be obtained from the
National Park Service in Marblemount.ee also
*
Diablo Lake
*Ross Dam
*Ross Lake Fault External links
*National Park Service website for [http://www.nps.gov/rola/ Ross Lake National Recreation Area]
* [http://skagitvalleyherald.com/articles/2004/12/27/news/news10.txt Chronology of Skagit River dams] from the Skagit Valley Herald
* [http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~archives/skagit/skaghome.htm Upper Skagit Watershed Photograph Project] from Seattle Municipal Archives
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