Bear Lake (Idaho–Utah)
Lake on the Utah-Idaho border in the United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Idaho–Utah border in the Western United States. About 109 square miles (280 km2) in size, it is split about equally between the two states; its Utah portion comprises the second-largest natural freshwater lake in Utah, after Utah Lake.[1] The lake has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its unique turquoise-blue color, which is due to the refraction of calcium carbonate (limestone) deposits suspended in the lake.[2] Its water properties have led to the evolution of several unique species of fauna that occur only within the lake.[3] Bear Lake is over 250,000 years old.[4] It was formed by fault subsidence that continues today, slowly deepening the lake along the eastern side.[5] In 1911 the majority of the flow of the Bear River was diverted into Bear Lake via Mud Lake and a canal from Stewart Dam, ending 11,000 years of separation between the lake and that river system.[6]
Bear Lake | |
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Location | Bear Lake County, Idaho Rich County, Utah, U.S. |
Coordinates | 42°00′N 111°20′W |
Primary inflows | Bear River diversion Creeks: Fish Haven, North Eden, South Eden, Swan Creek, St. Charles |
Primary outflows | Bear Lake Outlet Canal |
Catchment area | 5,862,957 acres (23,727 km2) |
Basin countries | United States |
Max. length | 18.3 mi (29.5 km) |
Max. width | 7.1 mi (11.4 km) |
Surface area | 109 sq mi (280 km2) |
Average depth | 94 ft (29 m) |
Max. depth | 208 ft (63 m) |
Water volume | 6,500,000 acre⋅ft (8.02 km3) |
Residence time | 19.6 years |
Shore length1 | 48 mi (77 km) |
Surface elevation | 5,924 ft (1,806 m) |
Settlements | Garden City, Utah, Laketown, Utah, Fish Haven, Idaho |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Today the lake is a popular destination for tourists and sports enthusiasts, and the surrounding valley has gained a reputation for having high-quality raspberries.[7]