Rock Lake (Washington)

Rock Lake
View of Rock Lake from south end
Location of Rock Lake in Washington, USA.
Location of Rock Lake in Washington, USA.
Rock Lake
Location of Rock Lake in Washington, USA.
Location of Rock Lake in Washington, USA.
Rock Lake
LocationWhitman County, WA
Coordinates47°10′40″N 117°41′01″W / 47.17778°N 117.68361°W / 47.17778; -117.68361
TypeKolk lake
Primary inflowsRock Creek
Primary outflowsRock Creek
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length7 mi (11 km)[1]
Max. width1 mi (1.6 km)[1]
Surface area2,190 acres (890 ha)[2]
Max. depth375 feet (114 m)
Surface elevation1,728 ft (527 m)[2]
SettlementsSt. John

Rock Lake is the deepest and largest of all scabland lakes left behind from the Missoula Floods, and holds that distinction for all of eastern Washington.[2][3] At its deepest, it is more than 360 feet (110 m) deep, although the official measurement is uncertain.[4][5] The lake is over 7 miles (11 km) long and averages 1 mile (1.6 km) in width, and is accessible via a solitary landing area located on the south end.[5] The rest of the shoreline is inaccessible to vehicles, other than a few private properties.

Located approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of Cheney, Rock Lake is in a moderately remote location. Other towns in the area include Sprague, St. John, and Rosalia, although all are a number of miles away.

Rock Lake receives the majority of its water from Rock Creek, which further downstream is a tributary of the Palouse River, as well as Negro Creek. The lake is approximately 7 miles (11 km) long and 1-mile (1.6 km) wide, having a wildly varying depth with steep dropoffs plunging over 300 feet down.[6] About half a mile from the boat launch, the lake's characteristic geography can be seen: high basalt cliff walls on either side with rock pillars and spires protruding from the bottom. The steep basalt cliffs and stone pinnacles which can rupture a hull and a lack of shoreline, coupled with the wind tunnel effect from the region's notable Palouse winds, have led to many deaths on the lake.[6][7] In addition to the perils in the lake, its banks are also habitat for rattlesnakes in the spring and summer months.[7]

  1. ^ a b Allen, John Eliot; Burns, Marjorie; Burns, Scott (2009). Cataclysms on the Columbia: The Great Missoula Floods. Ooligan Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-1-932010-31-2. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  2. ^ a b c Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. "Rock Lake". Retrieved 2015-01-16.
  3. ^ Bjornstad, Bruce; Kiver, Eugene (2012). On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods: The Northern Reaches. Sandpoint, Idaho: Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc. p. 33. ISBN 978-187962839-7.
  4. ^ "Opening day and beyond: Cheney-area trout lakes". Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  5. ^ a b "Rock Lake". Spokane Outdoors. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  6. ^ a b "Rock Lake tragedy explored". Gonzaga Bulletin. April 10, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Powell, Charlie (April 9, 1995). "The Mysteries Of Rock Lake The Fishing's Good, But It Doesn't Quite Stand Up To The Area's Tall Tales". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved June 20, 2022.