Payette Lake
| Payette Lake | |
|---|---|
 Panoramic view of southern shore inMcCall | |
  Payette Lake Location in theUnited States  Payette Lake Location inIdaho | |
| Location | Valley County,Idaho,U.S. |
| Coordinates | 44°57′N116°05′W/ 44.95°N 116.09°W[1] |
| Primary inflows | North Fork Payette River |
| Primary outflows | North Fork Payette River |
| Catchment area | 144 square miles (373 km2) |
| Basincountries | United States |
| Max. length | 6 miles (9.7 km) |
| Max. width | 2.25 miles (3.62 km) |
| Surface area | 4,986.7 acres (2,018.0 ha)[2] |
| Average depth | 121 feet (36.8 m) |
| Max. depth | 304 feet (92.7 m) |
| Water volume | 0.18 cubic miles (0.75 km3) |
| Shore length1 | 22 miles (36 km) |
| Surface elevation | 4,990 feet (1,520 m)[1] |
| Settlements | McCall, Idaho |
| 1Shore length isnot a well-defined measure. | |
Payette Lakeis a natural lake in thewesternUnited States,located in west centralIdahoatMcCall.Formed byglacial activity,it is situated in the upperdrainage basinof thePayette River,which drains into theSnake River.
Outflow from the lake at its southwest corner is regulated for irrigation purposes by a small dam completed in 1943. The normal maximum lake surfaceelevationof 4,990 feet (1,520 m) abovesea levelis attained in July; a normal drawdown of 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 m) is completed by December.
The lake's surface area and volume, excluding islands, are 7.9 square miles (20.5 km2) and 0.18 cubic miles (0.75 km3), respectively; mean and maximum depths are 121 feet (36.8 m) and 304 feet (92.7 m), respectively; and shoreline length is about 22 miles (36 km).
The principal tributary and outlet is theNorth Forkof thePayette River.The lake receives drainage from 144 square miles (373 km2) of heavily forested, mountainous terrain.[3]Further south, the North Fork flows intoLake Cascade,the reservoir behind Cascade Dam.
History[edit]
Prior to the arrival ofEuro-Americanhunters in the 1830s, the area had been inhabited byNative Americansfor thousands of years. The discovery of gold in 1862 in the upper drainage of Payette Lake prompted an influx of miners to the area. The townsite ofMcCallwas established on the lake's southern shore in the 1880s. The area became more accessible in 1914 when a railroad and roads were extended to McCall, which was becoming a tourist destination for summer and winter recreation. In 1920, theIdaho State Land Boardbegan leasing vacation homesites around Payette Lake. Increasing recreational demands led to the establishment ofBrundage Mountain Ski AreaandPonderosa State Park,both near McCall, in the 1960s.[3]
The largePayette Lakes Clubwas said to be significant in supporting recreation in the area; it was built 1914–15, on a knoll overlooking the lake from the west, and served as an inn, casino, andChautauquacenter. It was surrounded by development of many small cabin lots.[4]
In popular culture[edit]
In Idaho folklore, a sea serpent much like theLoch Ness Monsteris said to live in the deep waters of Payette Lake; in 1954, the creature was given the nameSharlie.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Payette Lake".Geographic Names Information System.United States Geological Survey,United States Department of the Interior.
- ^"Payette Lake".Idaho Department of Fish and Game.RetrievedOctober 18,2018.
- ^abWoods, Paul F. (1997)."Eutrophication Potential of Payette Lake"(PDF).Water-Resources Investigations Report 97-4145.U.S. Geological Survey. pp. 2–4.RetrievedOctober 18,2018.
- ^"National Register of Historic Places Registration: Payette Lakes Club / Payette Lake Club / Payette Lakes Inn"(PDF).State of Idaho.RetrievedSeptember 13,2019.With accompanying pictures
- ^"McCall, Idaho: the Monster of Payette Lake".San Diego Reader.August 13, 2011.RetrievedOctober 22,2018.
External links[edit]
- Payette LakeIdaho Department of Fish and Game
- Geologic Map of McCall (with Payette Lake bathymetry)