Bear Lake (Idaho–Utah)
Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Idaho–Utah border in the Western United States. About 109 square miles (280 km2) in size, it is split about equally between the two states; its Utah portion comprises the second-largest natural freshwater lake in Utah, after Utah Lake. The lake has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its unique turquoise-blue color, which is due to the refraction of calcium carbonate (limestone) deposits suspended in the lake. Its water properties have led to the evolution of several unique species of fauna that occur only within the lake. Bear Lake is over 250,000 years old. It was formed by fault subsidence that continues today, slowly deepening the lake along the eastern side. In 1911 the majority of the flow of the Bear River was diverted into Bear Lake via Mud Lake and a canal from Stewart Dam, ending 11,000 years of separation between the lake and that river system.
| Bear Lake | |
|---|---|
The lake's intense turquoise color is due to the presence of suspended limestone | |
Bear Lake Bear Lake Bear Lake | |
Bathymetric chart | |
| Location | Bear Lake County, Idaho Rich County, Utah, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 42°00′N 111°20′W |
| Primary inflows | Bear River diversion Creeks: Fish Haven, North Eden, South Eden, Swan Creek, St. Charles |
| Primary outflows | Bear Lake Outlet Canal |
| Catchment area | 5,862,957 acres (23,727 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 18.3 mi (29.5 km) |
| Max. width | 7.1 mi (11.4 km) |
| Surface area | 109 sq mi (280 km2) |
| Average depth | 94 ft (29 m) |
| Max. depth | 208 ft (63 m) |
| Water volume | 6,500,000 acre⋅ft (8.02 km3) |
| Residence time | 19.6 years |
| Shore length1 | 48 mi (77 km) |
| Surface elevation | 5,924 ft (1,806 m) |
| Settlements | Garden City, Utah, Laketown, Utah, Fish Haven, Idaho |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Today the lake is a popular destination for tourists and sports enthusiasts, and the surrounding valley has gained a reputation for having high-quality raspberries.