Ross Lake National Recreation Area

Thirty miles of highway access Ross Lake National Recreation Area, offering much of the region's camping, hiking and boating opportunities. Three reservoirs— Ross, Diablo and Gorge— provide power for Seattle City Light and recreational activities for visitors, including a number of scenic vistas, picnic areas, campgrounds and short trails available for those seeking a more relaxing trip.

Ross Lake, the largest of the three reservoirs, winds nearly 25 miles from Ross Dam to Hozomeen on the Canadian border. The only vehicle access is via Hope, British Columbia, but small motor boats and canoes/kayaks can be portaged around Ross Dam from Diablo Lake. Nineteen boat-in campgrounds and Ross Lake Resort are available for those looking to spend multiple days in this remote landscape.

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Threats

Ross Lake is currently being threatened by pollution from inefficient 2-stroke motor boats using the lake. The park is currently working on a General Management Plan for Ross Lake. NPCA has been involved in the development of this plan and has promoted a regulation requiring only more efficient, less polluting 4-stroke engines be allowed on the lake. Noise from float planes landing on the lake is also a nuisance and source of pollution, that should be better regulated. Finally, park service resources are being stretched thin by its requirement to control border crossing on the northern terminus of Ross Lake.

State:

Washington State

Acreage:

117,574.59

Category:

National Recreation Area

Established:

10/02/1968

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WHAT DO YOU THINK?

KevyJon

April 21, 2013

God bless JD, and tell Jack thank you. I might have been "perturbed" by the noise without your helpful adjustment of my perspective. I can now hear "noise pollution" and smile, give thanks, and feel free.

jd flying

January 10, 2012

while float planes are noisy for brief periods during take-off, they offer a vehicle for less able boddied individuals to experience the Ross Lake environment who would otherwise be unable to do so. I fly my wheel-chair bound father in law, Jack, to a different dock in the lake once each summer. we have lunck, enjoy the beautiful surroundings and fly back to Bellingham. Jack is World War II vet having survived the Battle of the Buldge and helped liberate two concentration camps. He is a life long resident of Whatcom county and raised his family here.

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