Skilak Lake

Skilak Lake
Location Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Coordinates 60°24′59″N 150°20′02″W / 60.41639°N 150.33389°W / 60.41639; -150.33389Coordinates: 60°24′59″N 150°20′02″W / 60.41639°N 150.33389°W / 60.41639; -150.33389
Primary inflows Skilak River, Kenai River
Primary outflows Kenai River
Basin countries United States
Max. length 15 mi (24 km)
Max. depth 528 ft (161 m)
Surface elevation 194 ft (59 m)
Frozen late Nov.- late April
Islands Frying Pan Island, Caribou Island
The turquoise water of Skilak Lake and the Skilak River delta, as seen from the air

Skilak Lake is a large lake on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The lake is part of the Kenai River system but also contains glacial runoff, being fed by meltwater from Skilak Glacier. The water is exceptionally clear with a mostly rocky bottom, relatively free of aquatic vegetation. It is within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and can be accessed by Skilak Lake Loop Road via the Sterling Highway. Maximum depth is 528 feet (161 m), it is 15 miles (24 km) long and up to 4 miles (6.4 km) wide in places. Early Russian explorers mistakenly believed Skilak and Tustumena Lake to be a single body of water.[1] It is a popular destination for Alaskans due to it being only about a half-hour drive from Soldotna, and approximately two hours from Anchorage. There are two campgrounds at the lake, one is a developed campground with a host, the other un-hosted and with only basic facilities.[2] There are many well-developed and maintained trails along the lake and its access road, as well as campgrounds and public-access cabins.[3][4]

See also

References

The lake seen from Skilak Lake Road
  1. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Skilak Lake
  2. ↑ The Milepost, 59th edition, page 588. ISBN 9781892154217
  3. ↑ "Hiking". Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. US Fish and Wildlife Service. February 26, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Cabin Program".


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