Lake Roosevelt - An Exciting Encounter with Nature and Wildlife

   
Lake Roosevelt is tucked away on the Columbia River above Grand Coulee Dam, surrounded by the wilderness terrains of the National Recreation Area. The Recreation Area spans across the lake and its sand-covered beaches, reaching 20 feet beyond the high-water mark, close to the Canadian border. Some of the spots along the shores are only accessible by boat. Lake Roosevelt is one of the largest man-made lakes in the country. Lake Roosevelt is enclosed on all sides by tremendous landscapes: a picturesque basalt canyon, part of the Columbia plateau, shrub-steppes, oddly shaped rocks, pine terraces, grasslands and the majestic Kettle River Range. The area is unique from a geological respect, formerly having been a territory where a larger glacial lake used to lie. Floods carved impressive scablands throughout the eastern regions of Washington.
   
The lake was named after the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The completion of the Grand Coulee Dam in 1941 created the 150-mile long lake. The neighbouring recreation area, sharing the same name, is a piece of paradise for nature lovers. The outdoor opportunities are more than abundant: canoeing, camping, boating, fishing, swimming and many other water activities. The shorelines of Lake Roosevelt are estimated to about 600 miles. The lake is one of the largest in Washington State. Anglers from all over the country can enjoy fishing in this pristine area - more than 30 fish species swim in the waters of the lake due to stocking initiatives, mostly with trout, walleye and landlocked sockeye salmon.
   
The lake is a family-friendly destination with over 20 boat launches, 10 beaches and almost 30 campgrounds. The are is unmarred by development, making Lake Roosevelt and the Recreation Park wonderful places for wildlife viewing, bird watching, and photography and pondering. One can feel the inspiring power of nature only in such places. Water sports enthusiasts can choose from a wide range of possibilities: waterskiing, boating, windsurfing, swimming or just sunbathing under the caressing sunbeams, thinking about nothing.
   
The seclusion of the adjacent lands creates a welcoming natural shelter for diverse flora and fauna: birds, butterflies, mammals, wildflowers and so on. A closer encounter with mule deer and coyotes is quite possible, and you will  hear the howls of the coyotes at night. The Lincoln Cliffs area gives you the chance to meet black bears, moose, elk (even elk herds) and bighorn sheep. Bird lovers will certainly find their heaven here: eagles, hawks, osprey, merlins, loons, meadowlarks, tanagers, and goldfinches are among the bird species whose songs float in the air day and night. Bobcats and mountain lions also make their home in the region.
   
The most scenic way to explore the numerous beaches and coves is to rent a houseboat; as a matter of fact, Lake Roosevelt is the only lake in the state of Washington known for having houseboats. The peak season for renting houseboats is the period from the early July to the middle of August. The recreation area offers a number of campgrounds, many of which are only accessible by boat.
   
The panoramic beauty of the majestic Columbia River has been a magnet, drawing the attention of humans for thousands of years. The fishing available on the river ensured prosperity and survival. Presently, Lake Roosevelt continues to amaze its visitors with stunningly beautiful nature and irresistible recreational offerings.