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]
Recreation
The primary recreation activity on Rock Lake is fishing. Popular sport fishing species in the lake include: Crappie, Brown trout, Bluegill, and Rainbow trout.[2]
Running along the eastern shore of the lake is the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, which is a converted rail trail.[7] This section of trail is now open, completing open access from Idaho to North Bend, Wa with the addition of the rail bridge over the Columbia River near Vantage..[8][9]
Dam considerations
A dam was first considered[who?] at the mouth of Rock Lake in the lake 1930s, and base columns were installed.[10] The idea of a dam was abandoned at that point, because of the difficulty the topography would present.[citation needed]
Recently,[when?] interest in building a dam at this site has been renewed. Representatives of the Palouse-Rock Lake Conservation District are interested in having a dam built for the primary purpose of stabilizing water supply to right-holders below the dam by creating a consistent flow throughout the year.[10] The current plans for a dam would impound 110,000-120,000 acre feet of water.[10][11]
Reference list
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. "Rock Lake". Retrieved 2015-01-16.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Opening day and beyond: Cheney-area trout lakes". Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
- ^ a b "Rock Lake". Spokane Outdoors. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
- ^ a b "Rock Lake tragedy explored". Gonzaga Bulletin. April 10, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Prager, Mike (2014-02-28). "Palouse section of old rail line to get master plan for trail". Spokesman Review. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
- ^ Hoch, Don (2014-03-27). "Item E-3: Iron Horse State Park – Master Plan Addendum – Requested Action". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
- ^ a b c "Columbia River Water Management Program Grant Application" (PDF). Washington State Department of Ecology. 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
- ^ "OCR Funded Projects" (PDF). Washington State Department of Ecology. November 2009. Retrieved 2015-01-19.