Discover the dramatic elevation and stunning geography of Crater Lake, Oregon’s iconic natural wonder formed by a collapsed volcano and renowned for its deep blue waters and high-altitude scenery.

Table of Contents

Location and Profile

  • What is Crater Lake? A caldera lake formed over 7,000 years ago after Mount Mazama collapsed.
  • Location: South-central Oregon within Crater Lake National Park.
  • Dimensions: Length – 6 miles; Width – 5 miles.
  • Surface Area: 20.6 square miles.
  • Depth: Average – 1,148 feet; Max – 1,949 feet (deepest in the U.S.).
  • Shoreline: Approx. 21.8 miles.

Elevation Basics

  • Significance of Depth: Deepest lake in the U.S.; ninth deepest in the world.
  • Inflow/Outflow: No rivers flow in or out; water comes from rain and snow.
  • Fish: Naturally fishless; stocked in the 19th and 20th centuries.
  • Indigenous Significance: Sacred to the Klamath tribe; used for vision quests.
  • Symbol of Oregon: Featured on license plates and the 2005 Oregon State Quarter.
  • Color: Renowned for deep blue hue due to clarity and depth.
  • Islands: Includes Wizard Island and Phantom Ship.
  • 'Old Man of the Lake': A 30-foot tree stump floating upright for over a century.
  • Activities: Enjoy hiking, scenic drives, and boat tours.

Must-Know Elevation Facts

  • What is elevation? The height of a location relative to mean sea level.
  • Climate Connection: Higher elevation = cooler temperatures and more snowfall.
  • Surface Elevation: 6,178 feet (1,883 m).
  • Caldera Rim Elevation: Ranges from 7,000–8,000 feet (2,100–2,400 m).
  • Wizard Island: A cinder cone with peak elevation of 6,933 feet (2,113 m).
  • Phantom Ship: Rock formation with top elevation of 170 feet (52 m).
  • Climate Impact: Subalpine climate with cool summers and snowy winters.
  • Precipitation: Over 500 inches of snow and 60+ inches of rain annually. Snow possible in almost any month.
  • Temperature Ranges:
    • January: Avg. low: 18°F (-8°C)
    • July: Avg. high: 55°F (13°C)
  • Oregon Elevation Rank: Ninth highest U.S. state, avg. elevation: 3,300 feet (1,010 m).
  • Crater Lake vs. State Avg: Crater Lake sits at nearly double Oregon's average elevation.
  • Highest Point in Oregon: Mount Hood – 11,249 feet (3,429 m).
  • Lowest Point in Oregon: Pacific Ocean – sea level.
  • Major Cities’ Elevations:
    • Portland: 49 feet (15 m)
    • Bend: 3,623 feet (1,104 m)
    • Salem: 154 feet (47 m)
  • Highest City in Oregon: Lakeview – 4,802 feet (1,464 m).

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