Jackson Lake

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Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake - Jackson Lake from the Eastern shore.
Jackson Lake from the Eastern shore.
Location Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Coordinates 43°52′52″N, 110°40′80″WCoordinates: 43°52′52″N, 110°40′80″W
Lake type Moraine-dammed lake and Dam
Primary inflows Snake River
Primary outflows Snake River
Basin countries United States
Max. length 15 mi (25 km)
Max. width 7 mi (11.25 km)
Surface area 25,540 acres (103.4 km²)
Max. depth 438 ft (134 m)
Surface elevation 6,772 ft (2,064 m)
Islands Elk Island, Donoho Point

Jackson Lake is a lake located in north western Wyoming in Grand Teton National Park. The lake is natural, except for the top 33 feet (10 m), which is due to the construction of Jackson Lake Dam, built in 1911. This top level of the lake is utilized by farmers in Idaho for irrigation purposes. The lake is the remnant of large glacial gouging from the neighboring Teton Range, and is still fed by runoff from small glaciers in near the peaks of those mountains. The main source of water is the Snake River, which flows in from the North. Jackson Lake is one of the largest high altitude lakes in the U.S. at an elevation of 6,772 feet (2,064 m) above sea level. The lake is up to 15 miles (25 km) long, 7 miles (11.25 km) wide and 438 feet (134 m) deep. The water of the lake averages below 60 degrees even during the hottest summer months and can freeze to more than 6 feet (1.8 m) thick in the winter.

Numerous species of fish inhabit the lake including Brown trout, Lake trout and Cutthroat trout, as well as Pike and Salmon.

There are several islands in the lake, including Danahoe Point, which can be seen prominently from the highway.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, a separate National Park area, is located near the northern end of Jackson Lake and extends to the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This roadway combines with the roads in Grand Teton National Park that follow the eastern side of the lake, providing access for boating and fishing. There are several different marinas and lodges along the eastern shore such as Leeks marina, Colter Bay Village, Jackson Lake Lodge and Signal Mountain Lodge. All of these except Jackson Lake Lodge have boat access points and ramps. The western shore of Jackson Lake is primitive, with only hiking trails and a handful of primitive campground spots.

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