Old Man of the Lake
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The Old Man of the Lake is the name given to a tall stump of tree, probably Hemlock (or Tsuga), which has been bobbing vertically in Crater Lake for more than a century.[1] Due to the extremely cold water of the lake, the tree has been rather well preserved.
The Old Man is about 30 feet long and about two feet in diameter at its waterline. Its tip stands approximately four feet above the water and has been bleached white by the elements. The exposed end of the floating tree is splintered but wide and buoyant enough to support a person's weight.[2]
Tour boats now regularly pass The Old Man of the Lake on their journeys to view the sights around Crater Lake. The clarity of the lake's water allows one to see far down The Old Man's length.
[edit] Movement
Movements of The Old Man have long been observed. However, as the result of an inquiry from Washington, D. C. as to its precise location, the project of recording The Old Man's location was undertaken during the summer of 1938.[3]
Those observations indicated that The Old Man of Crater Lake travels quite extensively, and sometimes with surprising rapidity.[4] Since it can usually be seen virtually anywhere on the lake, boat pilots commonly communicate its position to each other as a general matter of safety.[5]
During one three-month period of observation in 1938, The Old Man traveled at least 62.1 miles. The actual distance was no doubt greater than what was recorded. Not surprisingly, perhaps, the days on which the greatest movements occurred were days of relatively high wind and waves.[6]
In 1988, submarine explorations were conducted in the lake, and the scientists decided to tie The Old Man off the eastern side of Wizard Island to neutralize the navigational hazard until their research work was complete. However, the weather quickly went from clear to stormy. It seemed as if the weather was poor so long as the Old Man remained bound, but once the log was freed, the weather settled.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ Kartchnerand, W.E. & Doerr, J.E., Jr., "Wind Currents In Crater Lake As Revealed By The Old Man Of The Lake," Nature Notes from Crater Lake National Park, Vol. XI, No. 3 (September 1938).[1]
- ^ Salinas, J., "The Old Man of the Lake," Nature Notes from Crater Lake National Park, Vol. XXVII (1996).[2]
- ^ Kartchnerand, W.E. & Doerr, J.E., Jr., supra.
- ^ Kartchnerand, W.E. & Doerr, J.E., Jr., supra.
- ^ Salinas, J., supra.
- ^ Kartchnerand, W.E. & Doerr, J.E., Jr., supra.
- ^ Salinas, J., supra.
