Near Joseph in Wallowa County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Wallowa Lake
Oregon Geology
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
1. Wallowa Lake Marker
Inscription.
Wallowa Lake fills a depression that was formerly occupied by a great river of ice that flowed out of the high Wallowa mountains to the south. This glacier reached its greatest size in the late Pleistocene age, about 12 to 40 thousand years ago. As it flowed out onto the valley floor, the glacier build great piles of rock debris around its edges, called moraines. When the ice melted away, the moraines remained as the high straight ridges we see today. The lake is 283 feet deep, but the glacier was over 1500 feet thick. These moraines are some of the best preserved examples to be found anywhere in North America.
Wallowa Lake fills a depression that was formerly occupied by a great river of ice that flowed out of the high Wallowa mountains to the south. This glacier reached its greatest size in the late Pleistocene age, about 12 to 40 thousand years ago. As it flowed out onto the valley floor, the glacier build great piles of rock debris around its edges, called moraines. When the ice melted away, the moraines remained as the high straight ridges we see today. The lake is 283 feet deep, but the glacier was over 1500 feet thick. These moraines are some of the best preserved examples to be found anywhere in North America.
Erected by Oregon Highway Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Beaver Boards series list.
Location. 45° 20.16′ N, 117° 13.236′ W. Marker is near Joseph, Oregon, in Wallowa County. Marker is on Wallowa Lake Highway (Powerhouse Road) (Oregon Route 351), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 62309 Wallowa Lake Highway, Joseph OR 97846, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. tiwi∙teqis (Old Chief Joseph) (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chief "Old" Joseph
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 12, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
