Ross Lake

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For the Minnesota Township, see Ross Lake Township, Minnesota.

Looking north up Ross Lake, with Hozomeen Mountain in the left-background and Desolation Peak in the center-background

Ross Dam, forming Ross Lake

Ross Lake from Desolation Peak (looking south)

Ross Lake is a large reservoir in the North Cascade mountains of northern Washington state, USA, and southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The lake runs approximately north-south, is 23 miles (37 km) long, up to 1.5 miles (2.5 km) wide, and the full reservoir elevation is 1602 feet above sea level (488 m). Ross Lake is formed by the impoundment of the Skagit River by Ross Dam, which is operated by Seattle City Light for hydroelectric power generation serving Seattle, Washington, and surrounding areas. The lake is within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and is surrounded by North Cascades National Park.

[edit] History

Ross Dam, originally called Ruby Dam, was built in three stages between 1937 and 1949, and currently stands 540 feet (165 m) tall. A fourth stage of construction was planned for the dam; however, in 1984 Seattle City Light made an electricity-purchasing agreement with British Columbia which delayed any further expansion of the Ross Lake Dam for 80 years. The lake and dam are named after James D. Ross, the superintendent of the Seattle City Light’s Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, which built the dam.

[edit] Recreation

Ross Lake is a major recreation destination within the North Cascades, attracting visitors with a multitude of fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking opportunities. The trout fishing, in particular, is well-renowned. Ross Dam, as well as Gorge and Diablo dams downstream, are barriers preventing salmon from travelling between Ross Lake and the Pacific Ocean; thus, Ross Lake has no anadromous fishes.

Camping is allowed at a number of boat-in and hike-in campsites around the lake. Reservations are required, and may be obtained from the National Park Service in Marblemount.

High peaks surround Ross Lake in all directions, and include Hozomeen Mountain, Ruby Mountain, and Jack Mountain, the summit of which is over 7,000 feet above the elevation of the lake.