Lake Roosevelt

A Gift of Change Activities Afloat In a region renowned for towering trees, soaring mountains, deep gorges, and expansive wilderness, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area can rightfully claim a place among the Pacific Northwest's outstanding resources. Largest lake in the area, Lake Roosevelt is ideal for motorboating , waterskiing , sailing, and fishing. In the surrounding sagebrush hills and forested mountains you can camp, picnic, hike, hunt, and sightsee. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area stretches 130 miles al ng the length of the lake. It emb races the lower reaches of many rivers and streams, inc luding the Spokane an d Kettle rivers. Most of the water comes from glacial ice, lakes, and snow high in the Canadian Rockies. Currents run slowly in the lake, more swiftl y in the river and streams. Lakewater t emperatures range from the 60°sF in June and rise slowly through the summ er. By August, water temperatu res vary only slightly from north to south. The Spokane River arm, however, tends to be 5° to 8°F warmer than the rest of the lake. Lake level also varies according to season. The lake is highest from late June through most of the winter. In late winter and early sprin g the water level is lowered as much as 1OD feet to accommodate spring runoff. The creation of this sprawling recreation area began with 24 million tons of concrete and steel: Grand Coulee Dam. A Goliath of a dam, it was built to turn the power of the Columbia River into electricity and to turn vast deserts into prod uctive farmlands. Today the recreation area preserves in their natural setting rem inders of the days when American Indians fished the free-flowing Columbia River and fur trappers, farmers, missionaries, and soldiers first worked and settled this reg ion. Here, the new and old coexist side by side. Boating Large and small craft, from yac hts to canoes, tour the recreation area. There are 22 public boat ramp s for access to the water. Significant drawdowns can occur on Lake Roosevelt at any time of the year, making some boat ramps unusable. Boat docks. gasoline. water. sewage dump stations, and other such serv ices are avai lab le at developed areas. Each of the campgrounds a Lake Roosevelt can be reached by boat. (See Recreation Area Servic s for a list of availab le services and their locations.) Those portions of Lake Roosevelt and shoreline within the Colvil le and Spokane Indian reservations are managed by the Colvil le Confederaied Tribes and Spokane Trib e of Indians. The National Park Service administers the remainder as Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, and since 1946 has acted as caretaker of the area's rich natural resources and human history. Information on the area's history, wildlife, geology, and what to see and do is avai lable at Grand Coulee Dam and Fort Spokane visitor centers, North District office at Kettle Falls, South District office at Fort Spokane, and at park headquarters in the town of Coulee Dam. Headquarters, North District, and South District offices are open weekdays year-round. The visitor center at the dam is open daily except January 1, Thanksgivi ng Day, and December 25. The Fort Spokane Visitor Center is open intermittently. Schedules of interpretive services, including evening programs, guided walks, guided canoe trips, tours, and other activities, are posted. For more information write: Superint endent, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, 1008 Crest Drive, Coulee Dam, WA 99116-1259; or cal l 509-633-9441 or TDD 509-633-9331 . Navigational charts are useful travel gu ides that can help steer you safely around the area. Charts for all recreation area waters are sold at visitor centers. Boating safety also depends on fol lowing federal and state regu lations pertaining to boat operation. Don't endanger yourself by riding on the edge of a boat or boating without a lifejacket. Don't endanger others by speed ing . Use extra caution when approaching another boat, a waterskier, or swimmers. Lake levels can fluctuate daily. Watch for floating logs, debris, shallows, and submerged obstacles. Know the ru les of safe boating and the c ommon boating traffic signs. (See Boating Safety Guide.) Where Fair Weather Prevails Boating Safety Guide A dry, sunny climateperfect for sailing and other outdoor activities-predominates at Lake Roosevelt in the warmer months. As you go farther-north, it-becomes cooler and Cha nnel Buoys- '>'hen travel :ream or entering port keeo w ng 1 of port buoys and we le oi starboard buoys. wetter. In summer temperatures range from 75° to 100° during the day, and from 50° to 60° at night. It Is cooler, but still pleasant, in spring and fall. soldiers were stationed at the U.S. military outpost. Heralded in a 20th-century ballad as the "biggest thing built by the hand of man,11 Grand Coulee Dam is almost 1 mile long and twice as high as Niagara Falls. °' erroer o Apr> v.nen mesa buoys are remo.ed R - even Ed Cooper Just outside Lake Roosevelt are opportunities for hiking and other outdoor Port buoy ) (oddnum- Living history demonstrations at Fort Spokane recall the late 1800s when ~ Useexuaca • Waterskiing The confluences of Lake Roosevelt and its main tributaries-the Spokane, Kettle, Colville, and Sanpoil rivers - are ideal for waterskiing. Other broad , open areas are also good skiing spots. Regulations require a waterskier to be accompanied by two persons: one to operate the boat and another to observe the skier. Hold a red flag aloft when a skier is down. Swimming Natural sand and gravel beaches occur all along the lakeshore, and many campgrounds have designated swimming areas. Beaches have no lifeguards; swim at your own risk. Wherever you swim, always be aware of approach ing boats. Fishing More than 30 species of game fish are sought here. A state fish in g license is required. Area marinas and hardware and sporting goods stores carry licenses and copies of fishing regulations. (See A Fishing Primer fo r more informat ion.) Observing Wildlife People have changed Lake Roosevelt country in many ways, but wild animals are reminders that much of the region still lies covered by natural conifer forests, scrublands, and grasslands. Bald eag les, black bear, elk, and bobcats- symbols of America's wilderness-inhabit the area. Deer are commonly seen along shorelines. Many birds, including osprey, hawks, and smaller birds, are year-round residents. In spring and fall migrating Canada geese, ducks, and swans visit. Interpreting the Landscape Violent events thousands and millions of years ago created the landscape of Lake Roosevelt and most of eastern Washington. The dark layered rock walls you see as you travel along the lake were built from lava that gushed out of enormous cracks in the earth. Lakeshore sand and gravel terraces are evidence of more recent events. During the last Ice Age, catastrophic floods with 10 times the flow of all the rivers on Earth raged through this area , carving the spectacular canyon of the Grand Coulee and other deep channels. Danger-Roe and ::er "laZ3rdS we dangerous a: lake e-.e<s. tx. mos dangerous when the la e rs low. Boats Keep Out-Boats are prohi bited at swim beaches and in the waters near Grand Co ulee Dam . Buoys designate restricted areas. Speed Limit - Boats must reduce their speed when enteri ng "wake free" areas such as harbors and doc ks. Don Ca rney Scenic highways reveal passing glimpses of the waterways, mountains, forests, and desert lands throughout Lake Roosevelt country. 0 °!'€< ~ Right-of-Way- Yield right-of-w ay to boats in your danger zone (on your right)_ Slow down and let t hem pass. ~buoy numberad) activities . Activities Ashore Camping and Picnicking Thirty-eight campgrounds ring Lake Roosevelt. All are open on a first-come, first-served basis. A few open in May and close in late October; the rest are open yearround. In the southern part of the national recreation area, campgrounds are located on open lakeshore terraces . To the north they lie amid highcountry pine-fir forests. Separate picnic areas are provided near many campgrounds. (See Recreation Area Services for more information.) Hunting Portions of the recreation area are open seasonally for hunting. Game includes whitetail and mule deer, black bear, pheasant, quail, chukar, and migrant birds such as mourning dove, duck, and Canada goose. State licenses are required. Fort Spokane Eastern Washington was a little-explored frontier when Fort Spokane was established in 1880. One of the last frontier forts built in the West, it vividly illustrates changes in govern- ment policy towards Indian tribes at the t urn of the cen tury. From the fort's strat 1c location at the confluence of the Columbia and Spokane rivers, a small peacekeeping fo rce of infantry and cavalry troops kept a close eye on Indian reservations to the north and settlers to the south. Western forts changed their daily routine as a result of the disastrous defeat at the Little Big Horn in 1876; drills, marching, and target practice became the standard. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, troops left Fort Spokane in 1898. The post was decomm issioned and transferred to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 1899, Fort Spokane became the headquarters of the Colville Indian Agency and served as an Indian boarding school. Where soldiers had once stood ready to preserve the peac between Indians and settlers, Ind ian children now learned Europ an ways . The boarding school fai led and in 1929 the fort grou n s closed. Today a trail takes you by four of the original buildings. Several trai lside exh ibits tell the story of the fort . A 1892 brick guardhouse serves as a visitor center. Kettle Falls The Kettle Falls area once was a gathering place for Indians who came to fish an trappers vho came to trade. One link to this historic period is St. Paul's ission , vhere missiona ·es held worship services for the Indian s. Built in 1846, th is Cath olic chapel is one of the oldest churches in Washington . The best times to visit are spring through fall. A trail with exh ibits is nearby. Grand Coulee Dam One of the largest concrete structures ever built, Grand Coulee Dam is also one of the world's largest produ cers of hydroelectric energy. This powerhouse provides electricity for many hundreds of cities and towns in several states and supplies water to irrigate more than 500,000 acres of cropland . The dam Is open for free self-guided tours year-round except on January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25. Nightly laser light shows ari the face of the dam are a popu lar summer attraction. More infor= mation is available at the Bureau of Reclamation 's visitor arrival center, located near the dam. A Fishing Primer Fishing is a favorite past ime in Lake Roosevelt Nat ional Recreation Area, an activity that blends challenge with relaxation . T he key to a successful day is knowing as much as you can about the fish you're after, using your best angling skills to hook one and bring it in, and , of course, good luck. A Diverse Population More than 30 species of fish inhabit these waters. Some common ones you may encounter are: Walleye In past years more than 90 percent of all fish caught have been walleye, one of Lake Roosevelt's prized game fish. If you catch one, you can be sure others are around , because walleye travel in schools. Average weight-1-4 pounds_ Rainbow Trout Rivaling the walleye in popularity, this sport fish is an acrobatic fighter when hooked. Average w eight - 1-3 lbs. White Sturgeon North America's biggest freshw ater fish. Landlocked behind Grand Cou lee Dam, sturgeon can grow to 1800 lbs. People like this fish for its tender meat and roe. Average w eight - 100-300 lbs. Yellow Perch A tasty mild -flavored fish transplanted from the East. When hungry, this fish generally wi ll bite anything offered. Average weight 0.3-0.5 lbs. Lake Whitefish An abundant species in Lake Roosevelt not generally pursued by anglers. It is caught most often by those angling fo r trout or kokanee. Average weight- 2-3 lbs. Walleye White Sturgeon Kokanee The landlocked version of the anadromous sockeye salmon. Tributary streams provide important spawning grounds for this fish. Average wei ght - 1 _3 lbs. Other fish fou nd in these waters incl ude cutthroat trout, bass, sunfish, carp, perch, pike, and bullhead . When to Fish Lake Roosevelt is open year-ro und, but some m onths and ce rtain times of day are favored for fishing. Season The most popular m onths are September. October, November, May, and J une. If you fish in m id-su mm er, remember that fish often retreat to cooler stream s and deep er lake waters to escape the heat. Time of Day Dawn or dusk is prime t ime. Where to Fish In a lake t he size of Lake Roosevelt there is a staggering choice of places to drop a line. You mig ht co nsider concent rating yo ur efforts in one of these spots: The Confluences Many game fi sh, including walleye, trout , and bass, gather where Lake Roosevelt converges with its tribu- Scenic Highways An altern ative to seeing Lake Roosevelt country by boat is to travel its scenic roads. A popular d ri ve begins at Fort Spokane and continues north along the eastern shore of the lake through the Spokane Indian Reservation and the Huckleberry and Kettle River mountains. Another route follows the Sanpoil River north from Keller Ferry to the old gold-mining town of Republic, turns east and crosses Sherman Pass, the highest pass in the state, and ends at the lake near Kettle Falls. North of Kettle Falls roads fo llow the Kettle and Columbia rivers into Canada. Nearby Recreation Areas In Colvi lle and Okanogan National Forests popular activities include hiking, fishing, hunting, camping , and horseback riding . From time to time hunting and fishing are permitted in the Colville and Spokane Indian reservations. Besides state laws, there may be special regulations governing hunting and fishing in the national forests and the Indian reservations; check with the individual agencies. The waters of Lake Roosevelt country began attracting anglers long before the invention of the rod and reel. Early American Indians con- gregated by the hundreds at Kettle Falls each summer and fall to catch salmon. They captured the fish as they swam upstream toward their spawning grounds by spearing them or by trapping them in large baskets suspended over the falls. taries, particularly the Sanpoil River, Hawk Creek , Ninemile Creek, Wilmont Creek, Hunters Creek, Hall Creek, Barnaby Creek, Colville River, Sherman Creek, Kett le River, and Onion Creek. High Cliffs M any game fish prefer la ke waters near shoreli ne cl iffs. Trout and salmon swim below bluffs near Kell er Ferry. Spokane River These warmer waters are a good p lace to look for walleye. Kettie Ri ver Whitefish and bass frequent this waterco urse. Sanpoil River and Sherman Creek Trout and bass await fly fishermen in these tributari es. Angling Techniques Most anglers prefer to troll Lake Roosevelt's waters. Troll ing is an excellent way to find f ish in unfam iliar territory; it allows you to cover a lot of ground in a short time. A long line150 to 200 feet-will cover most depths. Both natural and artificial baits are used. O 50 Kilometers ~=l 0 Visiting Canada Boaters and motorists are required to stop for customs inspections when entering Canada or returning to the U. S. Food, lodging, gasoline. boating and 1shing gear, and other services are offered in Coulee Dam. Grand Coulee, Kettle Falls, Co Ille. and Northport. Prepare for long distances between gas stations and other services. There are small stores at Keller Ferry, Seven Bays, Two Rivers, Kettle Falls, McCoys, and Daisy. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area In general , services are available from June to September. Some fac ilities are accessible to disabled persons: contact park headquarters for details. Ferry Service Keller Ferry lin ks Wash. 21 on the lake's south end. Gil ford Ferry connec ts with Wash. 25 near lnchelium. Both are free and operate year-round. Boat Launch Fees There are fees at all boat launches. Check at ranger stations for information on permits. See chart at ri ght for information on winter use. Chains may be re - Boat Fuel and Water Levels Boat fuel may not be available at Kettle Falls when the lake level is below 1,270 feet. For information on wat er levels call 1-800-824-4916. Campgrounds Campgrounds have picnic tables and restrooms: most have water and fire grills. No utility hookups are provided. A tribal camping permit is req uired at campgrounds on the Spokane and Colville Indian reservations. Camping fees are charged yearround. 50Mdos The boat ramp elevation figure is the rnmimum water level at which a boat may be launched. • • • • • • •• • • • • •• • Campground (tent sites) Campground (trailer sites) Campground (group sites) Waste disposal (trailer) Picnic area Telephone Drinking water Marina Boat launch Boat fuel Waste disposal (boat) Winter boat launc h • • • •• • •• • •• • • • • •• • • • •• • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • •• •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • North ID 5 0 10 Ki lometers 5 10Miles r - - 1 Lake Roose velt ~ Unpaved road 0 ~ National Recreation Area Ranger station Boat launch [20 River mileage Mileages begin at Grand Coulee Dam and continue upstream. 0 A Marina Campground Boat-in campsites The Nati onal Park Servi ce administers the w at ers and shore lands of Lake Roosevelt outside th e Colville and Sp ok ane Indian Reservat ions as Lake Ro osevelt National Recreation Area . Ch eck shore land signing for boundary locations. CO L VI LLE OKANOGAN Mount Rogers 5557ft ATIONAL .1694m Napoleon Bridge s Boyds FOREST <:> < NAT IO NAL -~--- 'l;' Q:: REPUBLIC --t • SnO'N Peak FOREST 7103ft 2165m ,.., J:: c: 0 )'\ OKANOGAN NAT I ONAL 4:Tll r- FOREST 6Kr!1 lll CD l1l \ ~- :0 Il -< Barnaby Island A Barnaby Creek• ~ 0 m - Moses Mountain 6774ft 2065m COLVILLE IND I AN RESERVATION oREG Gl "' O N C ITY RIDGE 22m1 3~km LAKE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL RECREATION AREA - R1vor Colyitr'e lndr.tn A gency (Bureau of India n Affairs) • 23ml 37km SPOKANE INDIAN RESERVATION Hanson Harbor , _ ______ LAKE s Johnny George Mountain •Spokane. India n Agency 4090ft ,1247m Penix Canyon A ROOSEVELT NATIONAL RECREATION AREA {Bureau of lndian Affairs) Fort Spokane Visitor Center l"lllft 1427ft liiiiif ~ m 85 435m 75 17 """ 14km 80