Paulina Lake is one of the twin crater lakes in Newberry Crater, central Oregon, United States (the other being East Lake). It is located 6,331 feet (1,930 m) above sea level in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument near La Pine. The lake's primary inflow is seepage from East Lake, snow melt, and hot springs, and its outflow is Paulina Creek, a tributary of the Little Deschutes River. It has an area of 1,531 acres (619.6 ha), a volume of 249,850 acre-feet (308,185 dam3), a maximum depth of 250 feet (76.2 m), a shore length of about 6.7 miles (11 km), and a residence time of about 46 years.[2] The lake is classified as mesotrophic, with a transparency of approximately 13.1 feet (3.99 m).[2] It is about 40 feet (12 m) lower and one mile west of its twin, East Lake.

Paulina Lake
View of Paulina Lake from Paulina Peak
Location of Paulina Lake in Oregon, USA.
Location of Paulina Lake in Oregon, USA.
Paulina Lake
Location of Paulina Lake in Oregon, USA.
Location of Paulina Lake in Oregon, USA.
Paulina Lake
LocationNewberry National Volcanic Monument, Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Coordinates43°42′48″N 121°16′29″W / 43.71333°N 121.27472°W / 43.71333; -121.27472[1]
TypeCrater lake
Primary inflowsSeepage
Primary outflowsPaulina Creek
Catchment area17.1 sq mi (44.3 km2)[1]
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area1,531 acres (619.6 ha)[2]
Average depth163 ft (49.7 m)[2]
Max. depth250 ft (76.2 m)[2]
Water volume249,850 acre⋅ft (308,185 dam3)[2]
Residence time46 years[2]
Shore length16.7 mi (11 km)[2]
Surface elevation6,331 ft (1,930 m)[2]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Paulina Lake sits within the Newberry Crater, formed from over 500,000 years of volcanic activity.[3]

The lake bears the name of Paulina, a Snake Indian.[4]

Recreational Activities edit

Paulina Lake supports a number of recreational activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding. A 10 mph speed limit on the lake prohibits motorized high speed watersports such as waterskiing and jet skis, which protects the lake as a popular fishing destination.

Once devoid of fish, the lake is now regularly stocked by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife,[2] and is known for its large number of kokanee salmon and brown trout. Other fish found in the lake include rainbow trout, tui chub, and blue chub.[3] The largest brown trout caught on record in the State of Oregon – a whopping 28 lb., 5 oz. fish – was caught at Paulina in 2002, eclipsing previous records set at the same lake. [1]

Paulina Lake from Little Crater Campground boat dock

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Paulina Lake Basin Statistics" (PDF). Atlas of Oregon Lakes. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Johnson, Daniel M. (1985). Atlas of Oregon Lakes (PDF). Corvallis, Oregon: Oregon State University Press. pp. 118–119. ISBN 9780870713422. OCLC 11030545. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Paulina Lake". United States Forest Service. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  4. ^ "Indian names given to spots in mid-Oregon". The Bulletin. Aug 20, 1952. p. 2. Retrieved 14 October 2015.

External links edit