Lake Coeur d'Alene

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Lake Coeur d'Alene is located in northern Idaho.

The lake itself is 30 miles long, ranges from 1 to 3 miles wide and offers over 109 miles of shoreline for boaters and vacationers to explore and enjoy. The lake is fed by the Coeur d'Alene, St. Joe and St. Maries rivers which provide boaters the opportunity to explore and anglers the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the fish (from Chinook salmon to trout and Northern Pike). The outflow is via the Spokane River. The elevation of the lake is 2125 feet (648 m) above sea level.

Although glacially formed, Lake Coeur d'Alene's depth has been enhanced by the construction of the dam on the Spokane River. The lake has been a primary method of transporting lumber in Kootenai County since the industry took root in the region. In fact, prior to a fire in 1917, Harrison, ID was going to be county seat of Kootenai County, as the swiftly growing lumber town was at an opportune junction of the St. Joe and Coeur d' Alene Rivers. After the fire, the mills were largely moved to the city of Coeur d'Alene, which then grew to become the county seat.

There are a number of model T's sitting on the bottom of the lake, due to people in the early 1900s who would drive across the lake during the winter time in order to save half the distance in getting around the lake. When the ice broke, so did the chances for getting across. Also, there are some steamboats on the bottom that had been burned when they were no longer used to ferry people around on the lake. Divers frequently visit these ruins on the bottom.

Lake Coeur d'Alene is a popular tourist site for many people during the summer, offering great beaches and scenic views. A seasonal hobby of some local residents is viewing the bald eagles as they feed on the kokanee in the lake, mainly from the Wolf Lodge Bay.