Rock Lake (Washington)
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| Rock Lake | |
|---|---|
 View of Rock Lake from south end | |
  Rock Lake  Rock Lake | |
| Location | Whitman County, WA |
| Coordinates | 47°10′40″N 117°41′01″W / 47.17778°N 117.68361°W |
| Type | Kolk lake |
| Primary inflows | Rock Creek |
| Primary outflows | Rock Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 7 mi (11 km)[1] |
| Max. width | 1 mi (1.6 km)[1] |
| Surface area | 2,190 acres (890 ha)[2] |
| Max. depth | 375 feet (114 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,728 ft (527 m)[2] |
| Settlements | St. John |
Rock Lake is the deepest and largest of all scabland lakes left behind from the Missoula Floods, and holds that distinction for all of eastern Washington.[2][3] At its deepest, it is more than 360 feet (110 m) deep, although the official measurement is uncertain.[4][5] The lake is over 7 miles (11 km) long and averages 1 mile (1.6 km) in width, and is accessible via a solitary landing area located on the south end.[5] The rest of the shoreline is inaccessible to vehicles, other than a few private properties.
Located approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of Cheney, Rock Lake is in a moderately remote location. Other towns in the area include Sprague, St. John, and Rosalia, although all are a number of miles away.
Rock Lake receives the majority of its water from Rock Creek, which further downstream is a tributary of the Palouse River, as well as Negro Creek. The lake is approximately 7 miles (11 km) long and 1-mile (1.6 km) wide, having a wildly varying depth with steep dropoffs plunging over 300 feet down.[6] About half a mile from the boat launch, the lake's characteristic geography can be seen: high basalt cliff walls on either side with rock pillars and spires protruding from the bottom. The steep basalt cliffs and stone pinnacles which can rupture a hull and a lack of shoreline, coupled with the wind tunnel effect from the region's notable Palouse winds, have led to many deaths on the lake.[6][7] In addition to the perils in the lake, its banks are also habitat for rattlesnakes in the spring and summer months.[7]