Mink Lake (Lane County, Oregon)

Mink Lake is the second-largest wilderness lake in the U.S. state of Oregon.[n 1] Mink Lake lies at about 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above sea level on a Cascade Range lava plateau in the Three Sisters Wilderness in eastern Lane County. One of many lakes in the Mink Lake Basin, it covers 139 acres (56 ha).[2]

Mink Lake
Fog on Mink Lake
LocationLane County, Oregon,
United States
Coordinates43.93028°N 121.92361°W / 43.93028; -121.92361
TypeNatural, ultraoligotrophic
Catchment area0.9 square miles (2.3 km2)
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area139 acres (56 ha)
Average depth37 feet (11 m)
Max. depth85 feet (26 m)
Water volume5,200 acre feet (6,400,000 m3)
Surface elevation5,039 feet (1,536 m)
References[1][2][3]

Hiking trails enter the Mink Lake Basin, at the headwaters of the South Fork McKenzie River, from many directions.[4] The Pacific Crest Trail runs roughly north–south about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the lake.[5] Natural campsites abound in the area, but in warm weather mosquitoes can be a problem.[4]

So few chemicals and nutrients enter this lake that it is classified as ultraoligotrophic, and it is thought to be among the most pristine lakes in Oregon.[2] Fishing is possible here mainly because of stocking.[2] Rainbow and cutthroat trout range in size from 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm).[4]

See also

Notes and references
Notes
  1. Marion Lake is the largest.[2]
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. p. 236. ISBN 0-87071-343-4.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Atlas of Oregon Lakes: Mink Lake (Lane County)". Portland State University. 1985–2012. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  3. "Mink Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  4. Sheehan, Madelynne Diness. Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. p. 156. ISBN 0-916473-15-5.
  5. Oregon Atlas & Gazetteer (7th ed.). Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2008. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-89933-347-2.
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