Skilak Lake

Skilak Lake

from the beach at lower Skilak campground, Frying Pan Island is visible at lower right
Location Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Coordinates 60°24′59″N 150°20′02″W / 60.41639°N 150.33389°W / 60.41639; -150.33389Coordinates: 60°24′59″N 150°20′02″W / 60.41639°N 150.33389°W / 60.41639; -150.33389
Primary inflows Kenai River
Primary outflows Kenai River
Basin countries United States
Max. length 15 mi (24 km)
Max. depth 528 ft (161 m)
Frozen late Nov.- late April
Islands Frying Pan Island, Caribou Island
The turquoise water of Skilak Lake, as seen from the air

Skilak Lake is a large lake on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The lake is part of the Kenai River system but also contains glacial runoff. The water is exceptionally clear with a mostly rocky bottom, relatively free of aquatic vegetation. It is within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and can be accessed by Skilak Lake Loop Road via the Sterling Highway. Maximum depth is 528 feet (161 m), it is 15 miles (24 km) long and up to 4 miles (6.4 km) wide in places. Early Russian explorers mistakenly believed Skilak and Tustumena Lake to be a single body of water.[1] It is a popular destination for Alaskans due to it being only about a half-hour drive from Soldotna, and about two hours from Anchorage. There are two campgrounds at the lake, one is a developed campground with a host, the other is unhosted and has only basic facilities.[2]

See also

References

The lake seen from Skilak Lake Road
  1. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Skilak Lake
  2. ↑ The Milepost, 59th edition, page 588. ISBN 9781892154217


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