North and South Twin Lakes (Oregon)

General data

Name: North and South Twin Lakes (Oregon)
Water system: Columbia River
Water type: Natural lake
Progression: Crane Prairie Reservoir -> Deschutes River -> Columbia River -> Columbia River Estuary -> Pacific Ocean -> Planet Earth
Climates: Temperate
Continents: North America
Countries: United States of America

North and South Twin Lakes are two nearly identical natural lakes in Deschutes County, Oregon. Both were formed around 20,000 years ago when a rising magma reservoir reached groundwater, creating violent steam explosions. Two craters were formed, later filling with water.

North Twin Lake has an elevation of 1,322.8 m, while South Twin Lake is 1.8 m lower. North is larger, having a surface area of 45 ha, compared to South's 40 ha. North is also deeper, with an average depth of 12.2 m and a maximum depth of 18.3 m. South is shallower, with an average depth of 10.1 m and a maximum depth of 17.7 m. In 1987, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife poisoned South Twin Lake to remove rough fish. The lake is stocked with fingerlings and rainbow trout. North Twin Lake was illegally stocked with catfish some time before 2008. The largest recorded rainbow trout caught from South Twin Lake weighed over 6.1 kg. The trout average 25 to 36 cm long, with 46 cm fish common.

North and South Twin Lakes (Oregon)

General data

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