| Iliamna Lake | |
|---|---|
| from the northern shore | |
| Location | Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska |
| Coordinates | [1] |
| Lake type | oligotrophic |
| Primary outflows | Kvichak River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 77 mi (124 km)[2] |
| Max. width | 22 mi (35 km)[2] |
| Surface area | 1,012.5 sq mi (2,622 km2)[2] |
| Average depth | 144 ft (44 m)[2] |
| Max. depth | 988 ft (301 m)[2] |
| Water volume | 27.7 cu mi (115 km3)[2] |
| Residence time | 7.8 years[2] |
| Surface elevation | 46 ft (14 m)[1] |
| Settlements | Iliamna, Newhalen, Kokhanok, Pedro Bay, Igiugig |
| References | [1][2] |
Iliamna Lake or Lake Iliamna is a lake in South-West Alaska, at North end of Alaska Peninsula, between Kvichak Bay and Cook Inlet, 100 miles (160 km) West of Seldovia, Alaska Bristol Bay Low.[1]
It is the largest lake in Alaska, eighth largest lake in the United States of America, and one of the largest in North America, covering about 2,600 km² (1,000 sq. miles). The lake is 77 miles (124 km) long and up to 22 miles (35 km) wide, with a maximum depth of 988 feet (301 m). Through the Kvichak River, its waters drain into Bristol Bay.[3]
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Native name reported as Oz(ero) Bol (shoy) Ilyamna, meaning Big Ilyamna Lake, on 1852 Russian Hydrog. Dept. Chart 1455. This feature was earlier called Oz(ero) Shelekhovo, meaning Lake Shelekov, on an 1802 Russian map. According to G. C. Martin, United States Geological Survey, Iliamna is said to be "the name of a mythical great blackfish supposed to inhabit this lake, which bites holes in the bidarkas of bad natives."[1]
The name Iliamna is derived from the Inland Dena'ina Athabascan name "Nila Vena" which means island's lake. [4]
Williamsport-Pile Bay Road is a utility-class road maintained by the State of Alaska to connect Pile Bay on the Northeast side of Lake Iliamna to Williamsport, a tiny settlement on Iliamna Bay of Cook Inlet, about 100 miles from Homer, Alaska on the other side of Cook Inlet. 15.5 miles long and a single lane wide with 4 bridges, Williamsport-Pile Bay Road is maintained as a gravel utility road for the purpose of hauling boats and freight, and is not intended for general purpose use. The road allows boats (at least those which can fit across the bridges) to portage from Cook Inlet to Bristol Bay without braving the open ocean to go all the way around the Alaska Peninsula. The road is also believed to significantly reduce fuel costs for the Lake Iliamna and Bristol Bay regions.
The villages of Iliamna, Newhalen, Kokhanok, Pedro Bay, Pope-Vannoy Landing and Igiugig lie on the shores of Iliamna Lake.
Iliamna Lake is noted for its sport fishing. The three primary targets of anglers in the lake are trout, salmon, and grayling. August through September is prime time for catching fat rainbow trout, some of which can exceed 28 inches long. The Kvichak River Policy (the drainage of Lake Iliamna) is catch and release on trout (and all other native fish), so if you're looking for a meal then salmon is your best bet. Sockeye (Red) and Chinook (King) Salmon are consistently found in the lake and are open to harvest under Alaska Department of Fish and Game Regulations. Lake
Iliamna also has one of few populations of freshwater seals in the world.[5]
Local residents have a number of stories about the alleged Iliamna Lake Monster, an aquatic creature much like the rumored Loch Ness Monster.[6] Jeremy Wade of Animal Planet's "River Monsters" thinks the monster is actually a large White Sturgeon.
