craterlake

Crater Lake is a caldera lake located in the crater of Mount Mazama in the Cascade Range of southern Oregon, United States. It is the centerpiece of Crater Lake National Park and is renowned for its deep blue water and remarkable clarity.

The lake occupies the caldera created by a violent eruption of Mount Mazama about 7,700 years ago. The subsequent collapse formed a roughly circular basin that was gradually filled by precipitation. Crater Lake reaches a depth of about 1,949 feet (594 meters), making it the deepest lake in the United States by maximum depth. Its surface area is about 21 square miles (54 square kilometers). The surrounding rim rises to elevations around 7,000 feet (2,134 meters), creating a high-altitude setting with a dramatic scenic profile.

Crater Lake contains a few notable features, including Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone that rises from the lake’s surface and is accessible by boat in summer. Phantom Ship is a small rocky islet on the lake’s eastern side. The Old Man of the Lake is a famous submerged tree stump that has appeared at various depths in the lake for decades.

Hydrologically, Crater Lake has no inlet or outlet; its water level is maintained by precipitation and evaporation with loss through seepage and sublimation. The lake is famously clear, in part due to low organic input and the caldera’s sealed nature. The area supports a limited aquatic community, with several fish species introduced for recreational angling, while native aquatic fauna are minimal.

Crater Lake National Park, established in 1902, preserves the lake and its surrounding caldera rim, offering scenic drives, hiking, boat tours, and viewpoints that emphasize the lake’s natural and geological significance.