The Yellowstone Lake (in former times also Lake Eustis and Sublette's Lake) is at 354 km the largest lake of the Yellowstone national park and the largest mountain lake of North America. It lies in the south of the Parkes, in the US Federal State Wyoming. In the length (north south) it measures maximally 32 km, in the width (east west) 22 km. The coast pulls drags on on 177 km. The average depth is 43 meters, the maximum 122 meters. In August the surface temperature rises to on the average 16"°C (60"°F); the temperature at the sea-reason never reaches more than 5,5"°C (42"°F).

The Yellowstone Lake is surrounded to large parts with wooded mountains. With the west bank is a geothermal area with hot sources.

In the last years main headers itself the reason of the lake saliently; on the average approx. 2.5 cm/year. This points on increasing geological activities. As consequence parts of the national park for tourists became closed.

Geology

With the last large outbreak of the Yellowstone volcano more than 600,000 years ago the magma chamber in the interior of the earth of the Yellowstone area broke down. Developed a large Caldera, which was partly filled later with lava stream. During the last ice age a Gleschter formed mostly into the Caldera the sea-basin. The water level of the original lake was appropriate for 30 to 60 meters over the today's level. At that time the lake extended far in the Hayden Valley inside, to to the foot of the Mount Washburn.

The Yellowstone Lake emptied itself in the course of the geological development in different directions: Over the Snake River to the south into the Pacific, via Hudson Bay into the Atlantic and today over the Yellowstone River, Missouri and Mississippi into the gulf of Mexico and from there in the long run again into the Atlantic.

Activities

Due to the cold water swimming in the lake one advises against, however no swimming prohibition prevails. In Grant Village and Bridge Bay can be rented boats; from Bridge Bay out can participate travelers in addition in round travels.

Licenses for fishing can be acquired with Ranger stations, visitor centers, park shops and the port in Bridge Bay. With anglers is the Yellowstone Cutthroat Forelle particularly likes.

Literature

• Aubrey L. Haines: The Yellowstone story - A History OF our roofridge national park, volume One. University press OF Colorado, Niwot, 1996, ISBN 0-87081-390-0

Related links

• FAQs to the Yellowstone Lake (English)

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