Coldwater Lake (Washington)

For the lake in Michigan, see Coldwater Lake.
Coldwater Lake
Coldwater Lake is seen here from the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center. Mount St. Helens is in the background.
Coldwater Lake is located in Washington (state)
Coldwater Lake
Coldwater Lake
Location of Coldwater Lake in Washington
LocationWashington, U.S.
Coordinates46°18′14″N 122°14′13″W / 46.304°N 122.237°W / 46.304; -122.237
TypeLandslide-dammed lake
Primary inflowsColdwater Creek
South Coldwater Creek
Primary outflowsColdwater Creek
Catchment area16.55 sq mi (42.9 km2)[1]
Basin countriesUnited States
First floodedMay 18, 1980
Max. length5 mi (8 km)
Max. width0.5 mi (0.8 km)
Surface area773.2 acres (312.9 ha)[2]
Average depth87 ft (27 m)
Max. depth180 ft (55 m)
Water volume67,300 acre⋅ft (83,000,000 m3)[3]
Surface elevation2,503 ft (763 m)
IslandsKim Island is the only permanent island, sutuated toward the west end of the lake. There are a few very shallow areas that break the surface depending on water levels.

Coldwater Lake is a barrier lake on the border of Cowlitz County and Skamania County, Washington in the United States. The lake was created during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, which blocked its natural outlet, Coldwater Creek, with volcanic debris. It is one of several lakes in the area that were created or otherwise enlarged by the eruption.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference unl was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Coldwater Lake". Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference evans was invoked but never defined (see the help page).