Delta Lake (Washington) Explained

Delta Lake
Location:King County, Washington, United States
Coords:47.5917°N -121.31°W
Outflow:West Fork of the Foss River
Basin Countries:United States
Area:45.6acres
Depth:43feet
Max-Depth:121feet
Volume:2.37hm3
Elevation:3235feet
Pushpin Map:Washington#USA
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of Eightmile Lake in Washington, USA.

Delta Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, north of the Necklace Valley lakes in King County, Washington. Because Delta lake is at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.[1] Delta Lake is a consequence of the spill of the outlets of three major Alpine Lakes: Otter Lake, Big Heart Lake, and Angeline Lake.[2] The West Fork of the Foss River exits Delta Lake in two outlets which merge into one stream shortly above the top of Upper Foss River Falls.

Waterfalls

Two waterfalls are found neighboring the lake, both at the northern outflow of the lake: 337feet tall Upper Foss River Falls and 251feet tall Lower Foss River Falls.[3] Approximately a mile west downstream of the Delta Lake's inflow from Big Heart Lake is a third waterfall, 1262feet tall Big Heart Falls, while 424feet tall Angeline Falls is located about the same distance upstream the West Fork Foss River from Angeline Lake towards Delta Lake.[4] Delta Lake is surrounded by forested slopes and, unlike its neighbor lakes, it laks the characteristic talus, and avalanche tracks.[5] Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit around Delta Lake and within the neighboring Necklace Valley area.[6] A prominent delta flows into Delta Lake formed by the West Fork Foss River and other streams from Big Heart Lakes.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Delta. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 23 March 2021 .
  2. Web site: Big Heart Falls. Northwest Waterfall Surface. 15 April 2021 .
  3. Web site: Upper Foss River Falls. Northwest Waterfall Surface. 15 April 2021 .
  4. Web site: Angeline Falls. Northwest Waterfall Surface. 15 April 2021 .
  5. Web site: Reconnaissance Data on Lakes in the Alpine. David P. Dethier. Paul L. Heller. US Geological Society. 15 April 2021 . 102.
  6. Web site: Necklace Valley Trail 1062. United States Department of Agriculture. 15 April 2021 .