Sparks Lake

Sparks Lake is a natural body of water near the crest of the central Cascade Range in Deschutes County in the U.S. state of Oregon. The lake is about 26 miles (42 km) west-southwest of Bend along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway in Deschutes National Forest.[2] Named for a 19th-century rancher, "Lige" Sparks,[4] the water body is a remnant of a bigger lake that has partly filled with sediment and vegetation.[2]

Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake and South Sister
Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake
LocationDeschutes County, Oregon
Coordinates44.015670°N 121.745311°W / 44.015670; -121.745311
TypeNatural, oligotrophic, with dam
Primary inflowsGoose, Fall, and Soda creeks
Catchment area37 square miles (96 km2)
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area779 acres (315 ha)
Average depth1 foot (0.3 m)
Max. depth7 feet (2 m)
Water volume1,000 acre feet (1,200,000 m3)
Shore length110 miles (16 km)
Surface elevation5,433 feet (1,656 m)
SettlementsBend
References[1][2][3]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Many of the region's mountain peaks, such as Mount Bachelor, Three Sisters, and Broken Top, are visible from the lake. Other lakes in the vicinity include Todd, Elk, Hosmer, Blow, and Doris.[5]

Hydrology

Like many lakes in the region, Sparks Lake does not have any visible outflow. However, the surface level of the lake is below the regional water table; as such, the lake does not technically form an endorheic basin, and thus feeds springs in the surrounding area. The lake and its basin is generally believed to be part of the Deschutes River drainage area, part of the greater Columbia River basin.

Recreation

The United States Forest Service maintains a boat launch at Sparks Lake. The site has a parking area, a lake trail, and dispersed camping at locations accessible by boat.[6] A more formal campground run by the Forest Service is nearby along Soda Creek.[7]

Sparks Lake supports populations of brook trout and stocked cutthroat trout. Fly fishing is the only kind of angling allowed on the lake. Motorboats may be used for transportation, but fishing is allowed from them only when their motors are turned off.[8]

See also
  • List of lakes in Oregon

References
  1. Johnson, Daniel M.; Petersen, Richard R.; Lycan, D. Richard; Sweet, James W.; Neuhaus, Mark E., and Schaedel, Andrew L. (1985). Atlas of Oregon Lakes. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. p. 265. ISBN 0-87071-343-4.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Atlas of Oregon Lakes: Sparks Lake (Deschutes County)". Portland State University. 1985–2012. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  3. "Sparks Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  4. Hopper, Ila Grant (Oct 1, 1982). "Sparks Lake named for stockman". The Bulletin. p. 7. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  5. United States Geological Survey (USGS). "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map". TopoQuest. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  6. "Sparks Lake Boating Site". United States Forest Service. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  7. "Soda Creek Campground". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  8. Sheehan, Madelynne Diness (2005). Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. p. 246. ISBN 0-916473-15-5.
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