Iliamna Lake

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Iliamna Lake
from the northern shore
Location	Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska
Coordinates	59°32′12″N 155°01′28″W / 59.53667°N 155.02444°W / 59.53667; -155.02444Coordinates: 59°32′12″N 155°01′28″W / 59.53667°N 155.02444°W / 59.53667; -155.02444[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]

Contents 1 Hydrology 1.1 Geology 2 Natural history 3 History 3.1 Name 4 Economy 4.1 Portage 5 Lists 5.1 Populated Places 5.2 Flora and Fauna 5.2.1 Wildlife 5.2.2 Monster 5.3 Images 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Hydrology

[edit] Geology

[edit] Natural history

[edit] History

[edit] Name

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]

[edit] Economy

[edit] Portage

A portage road connects Lake Iliamna to Cook Inlet on the northeast side. Using this short cut, boats can get to Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea without going all the way around the Alaska Peninsula.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Lists

[edit] Populated Places

The villages of Iliamna, Newhalen, Kokhanok,Pedro Bay and Igiugig lie on the shores of Iliamna Lake.

[edit] Flora and Fauna

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[edit] Wildlife

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 in the lake and are open to harvest under Alaska Department of Fish and Game Regulations. Lake

Iliamna also has one of fiew populations of freshwater seals in the world.^[5]

[edit] Monster

Local residents have a number of stories about the alleged Iliamna Lake Monster, an aquatic creature much like the rumored Loch Ness Monster.^[6]

[edit] Images

[edit] See also

• List of lakes of Alaska
• List of reported lake monsters

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• "Detailed topographic map" (JPEG). United States Topographic Maps 1:250,000. University of Texas. 1983. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/250k/txu-pclmaps-topo-us-iliamna-1983.jpg. Retrieved 2008-05-22.