Salt Lake | |
---|---|
Location | Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota and Deuel County, South Dakota |
Coordinates | 44°57′53″N 96°26′40″W / 44.96472°N 96.44444°W |
Surface area | 312 acres (126 ha) [1] |
Salt Lake is a natural lake lying between Minnesota and South Dakota in the United States. [2]
Salt Lake received its name due to the naturally occurring salt at the lake shore, a by-product of the alkaline soils which surround the lake. [3] [4] It is the only alkaline lake in Minnesota and its water is approximately one-third the salinity of sea water. [1] Salt grasses grow along the shore and in the lake's water. [4]
The site is one of the most popular birdwatching sites in Minnesota. [1] One hundred and forty one different species of birds have been identified by birders in the vicinity of the lake. [1] Sago pondweed and brine shrimp in the lake attract large flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds. [1] Frequently seen birds at Salt Lake include avocets, willets and ducks such as the canvasback, gadwall, and shoveler. [4]
Like other prairie basin lakes, Salt Lake has dry and wet cycles in which the lake will periodically dry out completely. [5] During dry years, exposed wetland mud flats are streaked in white layers of salt. [5]
Salt Lake | |
---|---|
Location | Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota and Deuel County, South Dakota |
Coordinates | 44°57′53″N 96°26′40″W / 44.96472°N 96.44444°W |
Surface area | 312 acres (126 ha) [1] |
Salt Lake is a natural lake lying between Minnesota and South Dakota in the United States. [2]
Salt Lake received its name due to the naturally occurring salt at the lake shore, a by-product of the alkaline soils which surround the lake. [3] [4] It is the only alkaline lake in Minnesota and its water is approximately one-third the salinity of sea water. [1] Salt grasses grow along the shore and in the lake's water. [4]
The site is one of the most popular birdwatching sites in Minnesota. [1] One hundred and forty one different species of birds have been identified by birders in the vicinity of the lake. [1] Sago pondweed and brine shrimp in the lake attract large flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds. [1] Frequently seen birds at Salt Lake include avocets, willets and ducks such as the canvasback, gadwall, and shoveler. [4]
Like other prairie basin lakes, Salt Lake has dry and wet cycles in which the lake will periodically dry out completely. [5] During dry years, exposed wetland mud flats are streaked in white layers of salt. [5]