Little Lava Lake

Little Lava Lake lies in the Cascade Range about 26 miles (42 km) west-southwest of Bend in the U.S. state of Oregon.[1] A close neighbor of Lava Lake,[1] from which it is separated by solidified lava,[4] Little Lava Lake is at an elevation of 4,744 feet (1,446 m)[3] in the Deschutes National Forest. Generally considered the source of the Deschutes River, the lake covers 138 acres (56 ha) to an average depth of 8 feet (2.4 m).[1]

Little Lava Lake
Little Lava Lake Little Lava Lake
Location	Deschutes County, Oregon
Coordinates	43.910394°N 121.756698°W
Type	Volcanogenic, mesotrophic
Primary inflows	subsurface springs and occasional overflow from Lava Lake
Primary outflows	Deschutes River
Catchment area	18 square miles (47 km^2)
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	138 acres (56 ha)
Average depth	8 feet (2.4 m)
Max. depth	20 feet (6.1 m)
Water volume	1,100 acre feet (1,400,000 m^3)
Residence time	2 months
Shore length^1	2.8 miles (4.5 km)
Surface elevation	4,744 feet (1,446 m)
References	[1][2][3]
^1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lava Lake, Little Lava Lake, and other nearby lakes formed after lava flows from Mount Bachelor altered drainage patterns in the area. Solidified lava flows are visible along the shorelines of both lakes, and the volcanic peaks Broken Top and South Sister can be seen to the north.[1]

Recreation

Fish in the lake include stocked rainbow trout, wild brook trout, and tui chub.[5] Caught trout average 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) and sometimes reach 17 inches (43 cm).[5] In addition to fishing, the lake is used for canoeing, rafting, and swimming.[4]

A United States Forest Service campground is near the lake,[1] and Big Lava Lake, about ¹⁄₄ mile (0.40 km) away, also has campsites.[5] The Little Lava Lake campground has 13 campsites, two tent-only sites for large groups, and a boat ramp.[4]

Trails in the area offer opportunities for hiking and horseback riding. One trail follows the west side of Little Lava Lake and leads south into Three Sisters Wilderness and on to Williamson Mountain.[4]

Murders

In January 1924 the triple-murder of fur trappers, Edward Nickols, Roy Wilson, and Dewey Morris, occurred near the lake. Their bodies were discovered in Little Lava Lake in April 1924, where they had been deposited under the surface ice. The murders are unsolved.

See also

• List of lakes in Oregon
• Lava Lake murders

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. 222. ISBN 0-87071-343-4.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. "Little Lava Lake (Deschutes)". Atlas of Oregon Lakes. Portland State University. 1985–2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
3. "Little Lava Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
4. "Little Lava Lake Campground". Public Lands Interpretive Association. 1997–2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
5. Sheehan, Madelynne Diness. Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. p. 230. ISBN 0-916473-15-5.

External links

• Little Lava Lake – Recreation.gov
• Little Lava Lake – U.S. Forest Service