Walter Wirth Lake

Walter Wirth Lake
Anglers
Location of Walter Wirth Lake in Oregon, USA.
Location of Walter Wirth Lake in Oregon, USA.
Walter Wirth Lake
Location of Walter Wirth Lake in Oregon, USA.
Location of Walter Wirth Lake in Oregon, USA.
Walter Wirth Lake
LocationSalem, Oregon
Coordinates44°54.6′N 122°59.4′W / 44.9100°N 122.9900°W / 44.9100; -122.9900
TypeQuarry Lake
Primary inflowsMill Creek
Primary outflowsMill Creek
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area20.56 acres (83,200 m2)
Islands0.34-acre (1,400 m2) unnamed
References[1][2]

Walter Wirth Lake (aka Lake Wirth) is a lake in Salem, Oregon, United States. Walter Wirth Lake is wholly contained within Cascades Gateway Park. The park and lake began development in 1957 with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce working with the State Highway Department to convert a gravel burrow pit into a park. Original development of the park included a swimming area, paddle boats, a children's zoo, and concession stands. In 1976, a Department of Environmental Quality study determined the lake to be suffering the effects from upstream polluters closing the lake to swimming. Since that time the lake has held numerous programs in canoeing, sailing, and fishing, it is now open for swimming again.[1]

Walter Wirth lake sign