crater lake crater lake lake western united_states located south central oregon main feature famous deep blue color water clarity lake partly fills nearly foot formed years ago collapse volcano rivers flowing lake compensated rain snowfall rate total water replaced years depth feet lake deepest united_states world ranks tenth maximum depth mean average depth known old man lake sized tree vertically lake century low temperature water slowed wood longevity tree islands formed cone erupted crater lake began fill water smaller phantom ship seven trees living colonies violet green varieties living having indigenous fish population lake stocked variety fish species formed self sustaining populations state regular issue license plate designs featured commemorative released features image reverse location located approximately miles northwest county seat miles northeast city june non native american explorer report sighting lake named deep blue lake lake renamed times finally dimensions depth lake miles rim ranging elevation feet average lake depth feet lake maximum depth measured feet slightly weather changes basis maximum depth deepest lake united_states second deepest north_america canada tenth deepest lake world lake deepest cited seventh deepest lake world ranking lake antarctica situated feet ice recent located border chile argentina considering mean average depth lakes deepest lake deepest world director states crater lake deepest compared basis average depth lakes basins entirely sea level average depths lakes deeper crater lake basins extend sea level geology mount cascade range volcanic arc built period years created massive volcanic eruption years ago led cubic kilometers erupted event time confined lava later created central platform smaller volcanic features including dome eventually created atop central platform sediments landslide debris covered floor eventually cooled allowing rain snow accumulate form lake landslides rim formed debris fans sediments lake bed hot springs remained common active period time slopes lake rim stabilized streams restored radial drainage pattern mountain dense forests began barren landscape estimated years required fill lake present depth occurred period prevailing climate moist present activity remains lake floor suggesting time future climate climate extremely rare classification owing high elevation like oregon strong summer influence summer weather mild dry winter cold powerful influence low allows enormous averaging inches year maximum snow cover averaging inches meters snow usually melt mid july allows substantial glaciers adjacent mountains winter inches snow fell whilst complete snow cover records cover high inches meters occurred particularly unsettled winter heaviest daily snowfall inches occurred recently february storm occurred june september hard frost possible summer average window freezing temperatures august july inches centimeters snowfall october june water quality unique factors mainly lake tributaries waters world absence clarity readings disk consistently meter meter foot range clear natural body water scientists recorded record clarity lake relatively high levels dissolved total average generally ranged sacred significance tribe native americans ancestors witnessed collapse formation long regarded lake sacred site legends tell battle sky god god underworld destroyed battle creating called language people vision quests involved climbing walls dangerous tasks successful quests regarded having spiritual powers tribe holds high regard spiritual site
Crater Lake