Spirit Lake (Washington)

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Spirit Lake
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Aerial view of the lake in 2005
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Spirit Lake
Location in Washington state
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Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake (the United States)
Location Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Skamania County, Washington, U.S.
Coordinates 46°16′23″N122°08′06″W / 46.27306°N 122.13500°W / 46.27306; -122.13500
Primary inflows Precipitation, streams
Primary outflows Drainage tunnel to South Coldwater Creek
Basin  countries United States
Surface elevation3,406 feet (1,038 m) [1] (3,198 ft (975 m) before May 18, 1980) [2]

Spirit Lake is a lake in Skamania County, Washington, United States, located north of Mount St. Helens. It was a popular tourist destination for many years until Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. Previously there had been six camps on the shore of Spirit Lake: Boy Scout (Camp Spirit Lake), [3] the Girl Scout Camp at Spirit Lake, two YMCA camps [4] (Camp Loowit, and Portland YMCA camp), Harmony Fall Lodge, and another for the general public. There were also several lodges accessible to visitors, including Spirit Lake Lodge and Mt. St. Helens Lodge. The latter was owned and operated by Harry R. Truman, a noted victim of the volcano's 1980 eruption. [5]

Contents

Pre-1980 eruption

Prior to 1980, Spirit Lake consisted of two arms that occupied what had been the valleys of the North Fork Toutle River and a tributary. About 4,000 years ago, these valleys were blocked by lahars and pyroclastic flow deposits from Mount St. Helens to form the pre-1980 Spirit Lake. The longest branch of Spirit Lake was about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) long. A stable outlet channel flowed from the lake to the North Fork Toutle River across a natural dam composed of volcanic material. The level of Spirit Lake remained basically stable, at an altitude of about 3,198 ft (970 m). [2] [6] [7]

Climate

Pre-eruption weather data from the Spirit Lake Ranger Station indicates the area either had the rare dry-summer variant of the subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification: Dsc), or the rare cold-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csc), both of which are found only in small areas across the world. Recent climate data for the area is not available to confirm whether the post-eruption site still has either one of these rare climate types.

Climate data for Spirit Lake Ranger Station, 1932-1956
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)50
(10)		55
(13)		58
(14)		77
(25)		83
(28)		90
(32)		100
(38)		94
(34)		88
(31)		85
(29)		63
(17)		55
(13)		100
(38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)32.9
(0.5)		35.3
(1.8)		38.1
(3.4)		46
(8)		52.4
(11.3)		59
(15)		71.2
(21.8)		70.5
(21.4)		63.6
(17.6)		52.4
(11.3)		41
(5)		36.2
(2.3)		49.9
(9.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)24.4
(−4.2)		24.6
(−4.1)		26.1
(−3.3)		29.7
(−1.3)		33.1
(0.6)		37.6
(3.1)		44.7
(7.1)		45.2
(7.3)		41.8
(5.4)		37.1
(2.8)		31.2
(−0.4)		27.9
(−2.3)		33.6
(0.9)
Record low °F (°C)−15
(−26)		−15
(−26)		−11
(−24)		6
(−14)		18
(−8)		27
(−3)		30
(−1)		32
(0)		28
(−2)		14
(−10)		−5
(−21)		−1
(−18)		−15
(−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm)13.49
(343)		10.53
(267)		10.6
(270)		9.7
(250)		7.7
(200)		3.66
(93)		0.89
(23)		1.92
(49)		6.5
(170)		8.7
(220)		13.56
(344)		15.61
(396)		100.94
(2,564)
Average snowfall inches (cm)76.9
(195)		91.4
(232)		66.7
(169)		22.4
(57)		4.7
(12)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0.1
(0.25)		4.8
(12)		18.9
(48)		54.8
(139)		313.0
(795)
Average precipitation days211920151412569141719171
Source: [8]

Mount St. Helens eruption

During the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Spirit Lake received the full impact of the lateral blast from the volcano. The blast and the debris avalanche associated with this eruption temporarily displaced much of the lake from its bed and forced lake waters as a wave as much as 850 ft (260 m) above lake level on the mountain slopes along the north shoreline of the lake. The debris avalanche deposited about 430,000,000 cubic metres (350,000 acre⋅ft) of pyrolized trees, other plant material, volcanic ash, and volcanic debris of various origins into Spirit Lake. The deposition of this volcanic material decreased the lake volume by approximately 56,000,000 cubic metres (45,000 acre⋅ft). Lahar and pyroclastic-flow deposits from the eruption blocked its natural pre-eruption outlet to the North Fork Toutle River valley at its outlet, raising the surface elevation of the lake by between 197 ft (60 m) and 206 ft (63 m). The surface area of the lake was increased from 1,300 acres to about 2,200 acres and its maximum depth decreased from 190 ft (58 m) to 110 ft (34 m). The eruption tore thousands of trees from the surrounding hillsides and swept them into Spirit Lake. These thousands of shattered trees formed a floating log raft on the lake surface that covered about 40% of the lake's surface after the eruption. [2] [9]

After the eruption, Spirit Lake contained highly toxic water with volcanic gases seeping up from the lake bed. A month after the eruption, the bacteria-carrying water was devoid of oxygen. Scientists predicted that the lake would not recover quickly, but the reemergence of phytoplankton starting in 1983 began to restore oxygen levels. Amphibians such as frogs and salamanders recolonized the lake, and fish (reintroduced by fishermen) thrived. [10] [11]

Water levels

Spirit Lake outlet tunnel Spirit Lake outlet tunnel.jpg
Spirit Lake outlet tunnel

The water level of Spirit Lake is maintained at about 3,406 ft (1,040 m) by draining water through Spirit Lake Outlet Tunnel, a gravity-feed tunnel completed in 1985. The 8,465-foot-long (2,580 m) tunnel was cut through Harrys Ridge to South Coldwater Creek, which flows to Coldwater Lake and into the North Fork of the Toutle River. [1] [11] Had the lake level not been stabilized, the dam, which was composed of volcanic avalanche debris created by the 1980 eruption, would have been breached and caused catastrophic flooding within the Toutle River Valley. [12] [13] [14]

An attempt to upgrades and repair the 1985 tunnel began in 2021 but was halted due to concerns over damages to the pumice plain. The project restarted in 2024 and a temporary road, following the prior access path to the lake, will be rebuilt with future work to involve the installation of gates to the tunnel and dredging to prevent the buildup of logs. During the efforts planned through 2027, several trails surrounding the area will no longer be accessible during weekdays. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount St. Helens</span> Volcano in Washington, U.S.

Mount St. Helens is an active stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It lies 52 miles (83 km) northeast of Portland, Oregon, and 98 miles (158 km) south of Seattle. Mount St. Helens takes its English name from that of the British diplomat Alleyne Fitzherbert, 1st Baron St Helens, a friend of explorer George Vancouver who surveyed the area in the late 18th century. The volcano is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cascade Range</span> Mountain range in western North America

The Cascade Range or Cascades is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as many of those in the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades. The small part of the range in British Columbia is referred to as the Canadian Cascades or, locally, as the Cascade Mountains. The highest peak in the range is Mount Rainier in Washington at 14,411 feet (4,392 m).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens</span> Major volcanic eruption in Skamania County, Washington, U.S.

On March 27, 1980, a series of volcanic explosions and pyroclastic flows began at Mount St. Helens in Skamania County, Washington, United States. A series of phreatic blasts occurred from the summit and escalated until a major explosive eruption took place on May 18, 1980, at 8:32 am. The eruption, which had a volcanic explosivity index of 5, was the first to occur in the contiguous United States since the much smaller 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak in California. It has often been declared the most disastrous volcanic eruption in U.S. history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument</span> Government-protected area in the United States

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a U.S. National Monument that includes the area around Mount St. Helens in Cowlitz and Skamania Counties, Washington. It was established on August 27, 1982, by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, following the 1980 eruption. The 110,000 acre (445 km2) National Volcanic Monument was set aside for research, recreation, and education. Inside the monument, the environment is left to respond naturally to the disturbance. It was the third national monument to be managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Glicken</span> American geologist and volcanologist

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Fork Toutle River</span> River in Washington, United States

The North Fork Toutle River is a tributary of the Toutle River in southwestern Washington in the United States. The river has its headwaters near Spirit Lake, on the north side of Mount St. Helens, and flows 39 miles (63 km) to the Toutle River, about 17 miles (27 km) upstream of its confluence with the Cowlitz River. The largest tributary is the Green River, which joins near the unincorporated town of Toutle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington State Route 504</span> Highway in Washington

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toutle River</span> River in Washington, United States

The Toutle River is a 17.2-mile (27.7 km) tributary of the Cowlitz River in the U.S. state of Washington. It rises in two forks merging near Toutle below Mount St. Helens and joins the Cowlitz near Castle Rock, 20 miles (32 km) upstream of the larger river's confluence with the Columbia River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crater Glacier</span> Glacier in Washington, United States

The Crater Glacier is a geologically young glacier on Mount St. Helens, in the U.S. state of Washington. The glacier formed after the 1980 eruption and due to its location, the body of ice grew rapidly, unknown to the public for nearly 20 years. The glacier once contained ice caves in the smooth ice before the 2004–2008 volcanic activity. The growth of the lava dome and volcanic eruptions from 2004 to 2008 significantly altered the appearance of the glacier. In the same time period, several agencies decided to put an official name on the glacier which, at first, was Tulutson Glacier. A later decision made Crater Glacier the official glacier name. Despite the volcanic activity, the glacier continued to advance and by mid-2008, the glacier completely encircled the lava domes. In addition, new glaciers have formed around Crater Glacier as well.

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The Green River is the largest tributary of the North Fork Toutle River in the U.S. state of Washington. Situated near Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Range in the southern part of the state, it flows generally west through Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and industrial timberlands for 37.4 miles (60.2 km). The river drains more than 130 square miles (340 km2) in parts of three Washington counties: Skamania, Lewis, and Cowlitz.

Kid Valley is an unincorporated community in Cowlitz County, Washington. Kid Valley is located east of the city of Castle Rock and along the North Fork Toutle River. Kid Valley is reached by traveling 17.8 miles (28.6 km) east of Castle Rock along Washington State Route 504, which is also known as the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. The Kid Valley community is part of the Toutle Lake School District, a K-12 school district of about 600 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coldwater Lake (Washington)</span> Landslide-dammed lake in Washington, U.S.

Coldwater Lake is a barrier lake on the border of Cowlitz County and Skamania County, Washington in the United States. The lake was created during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, which blocked its natural outlet, Coldwater Creek, with volcanic debris. It is one of several lakes in the area that were created or otherwise enlarged by the eruption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle Lake (Washington)</span> Barrier lake in Washington, US

Castle Lake is a barrier lake formed by the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, when an avalanche dammed the South Fork of Castle Creek. The lake covers just slightly more than 1 square kilometer (0.39 sq mi). In 1981 a spillway was constructed to alleviate concerns about sudden erosion. The lake is difficult to access, but trails have been built to it and recreational fishing is allowed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coldwater Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Coldwater Peak is a 5,722 ft (1,740 m) mountain summit located in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in Skamania County of southwest Washington state. It is situated in the Cascade Range, 2 mi (3.2 km) northwest of Spirit Lake, and 2 mi (3.2 km) east of Coldwater Lake. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Margaret, 2.4 mi (3.9 km) to the northeast, and Mount St. Helens rises 7 mi (11 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from Coldwater Peak drains into Coldwater Creek, a tributary of the North Fork Toutle River. The mountain takes its name from this creek, and was officially adopted in 1983 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. A trail provides access to the summit, the site of the former Coldwater Lookout from 1935 to 1968, and now is a site for research instruments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Margaret (Skamania County, Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Margaret is a 5,850-ft mountain summit located in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in Skamania County of southwest Washington state. It is situated in the Cascade Range, 2 mi (3.2 km) north of Spirit Lake, and 2.4 mi (3.9 km) northeast of Coldwater Peak. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Whittier, 0.93 mi (1.50 km) to the north, and Mount St. Helens rises 8 mi (13 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from Mount Margaret drains into Coldwater Creek, a tributary of the North Fork Toutle River. A hiking trail provides access to this mountain. This peak was named some time before 1900 by an admiring prospector for Margaret "Maggie" Shultz Layton (1877-1965), a pioneering resident of Toledo, Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dome (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

The Dome is a 5,720+ ft mountain summit located in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in Skamania County of southwest Washington state. It is situated in the Cascade Range, less than 2 mi (3.2 km) north of Spirit Lake, and 1.28 mi (2.06 km) northeast of Coldwater Peak. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Margaret, 1.16 mi (1.87 km) to the northeast, and Mount St. Helens rises 7.5 mi (12.1 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from The Dome is drained by Coldwater Creek, a tributary of the North Fork Toutle River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Whittier (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Whittier is a prominent 5,883-ft mountain summit located in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in Skamania County of southwest Washington state. It is situated in the Cascade Range, 2 mi (3.2 km) north of Spirit Lake, and 1.7 mi (2.7 km) northeast of The Dome. Its closest neighbor is Mount Margaret, 0.93 mi (1.50 km) to the south, and the nearest higher neighbor is Mount St. Helens, 9 mi (14 km) to the south. Whittier is the second-highest peak in the Mount St. Helens area, after Mt. St. Helens. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the summit rises 2,000 feet above the head of Coldwater Creek valley in 0.6 mi (0.97 km). Precipitation runoff from Mount Whittier drains into tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnie Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Minnie Peak is a 5,610-ft mountain summit located in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in Skamania County of southwest Washington state. It is situated in the Cascade Range, one mile northeast of Coldwater Lake, and 2.7 mi (4.3 km) west of Mount Whittier. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Venus, 1.67 mi (2.69 km) to the northeast, Coldwater Peak rises 2 mi (3.2 km) to the south, and Mount St. Helens is 9 mi (14 km) to the south. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the summit rises 3,000 feet above the Coldwater Creek valley in less than one mile. Precipitation runoff from Minnie Peak drains south into Coldwater Creek, or north into Miners Creek, both of which are part of the North Fork Toutle River drainage basin. This peak's name is derived from the Minnie mining claim nearby along Miners Creek. The primary minerals extracted there were silver and copper.

References

  1. 1 2 Anonymous (2013) USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory: Spirit Lake. Mount St. Helens, Cascades Volcano Observatory.
  2. 1 2 3 Meyer, W, and PJ Carpenter (1983) Filling of Spirit Lake, Washington. Open-File Report no. 82-771. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
  3. ↑ "40-Years Ago Today: Spirit Lake BSA Camp Destroyed by Mount St. Helens Eruption". Cascade Pacific Council. 2020-05-18.
  4. ↑ "Camp Loowit History". Camp Loowit.
  5. ↑ Anderson, DA (2013). Mount St. Helens. San Francisco, California: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   9781467130554.
  6. ↑ Hopson, CA (2008) Geologic Map of Mount St. Helens, Washington Prior to the 1980 Eruption. Scale 1:62,500, Open-File Report no. 2002-468. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
  7. ↑ Lipman, PW., and DR Mullineaux, eds. (1981) The 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens, Washington. Professional Paper no. 1250. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. 844 pp.
  8. ↑ "SPIRIT LAKE RS, WA (457919)". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  9. ↑ Lee DB (1993) Effects of the Eruptions of Mount St. Helens on Physical, Chemical, and Biological Characteristics of Surface Water, Ground Water, and Precipitation in the Western United States. Water-Supply Paper no. 2438. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
  10. ↑ Dale, VH, FJ Swanson, and CM Crisafulli, eds. (2005) Ecological Responses to the 1980 Eruption of Mount St. Helens. Springer Science+Business Media, Inc., New York, New York, 342 pp. ISBN   978-0387238500
  11. 1 2 Larson, D (1993) The Recovery of Spirit Lake. American Scientist. 81(2):166-177.
  12. ↑ Swift, CH, and DL Kresch (1983) Mudflow hazards along the Toutle and Cowlitz Rivers from a hypothetical failure of Spirit Lake blockage. Water-Resources Investigations Report no. 82-4125. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
  13. ↑ Kresch, DL (1992) Development and routing of mudflow resulting from hypothetical failure of Spirit Lake debris dam, Washington. Water-Resources Investigations Report no. 91-4028. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
  14. ↑ Fredlund, Diana. "Mountain on the move Spirit Lake Outlet Tunnel team plans to repair movement to tunnel floor" (PDF). US Forest Service. US Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  15. ↑ Atkinson, Minka. "Some Mount St. Helens trails will close on weekdays through 2027". The Seattle Times. The Daily News (Longview, Washington) . Retrieved May 22, 2024.
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