Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan is a narrow, 55-mile-long lake in Chelan County, northern Washington state, U.S. It is the largest natural lake in Washington state. The name Chelan is a Salish Indian word Tsi - Laan, meaning deep water.

Fed by streams from the Cascade Range, Lake Chelan has maximum depth of 1,486 ft (453 m) (though some sources cite 1,420 feet), making it the third deepest lake in the country and the 26th deepest in the world. The surface of the lake is 1,098 feet (335 m) above sea level, while the average width of the lake is one mile.

The city of Chelan sits at the southeast tip of the lake, where its water flows into the Chelan River through the hydroelectric Lake Chelan Dam. At the northwest end of the lake is the town of Stehekin, where the town's namesake river, the Stehekin River, flows into the lake. The Stehekin is the lake's largest inflow stream. Access to the far end of the lake is limited to boat, float plane, or hiking. Lake Chelan State Park lies along the southern shore of the lake, and can be accessed from the city of Chelan by road. The northern portion of the lake is protected by Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

• Lake Chelan as seen from the southern shore off United States Highway 97. The word Chelan comes from the Indian word Tsi - Laan, which means "deep water."

• View of Manson orchards from the south shore of Lake Chelan.

• View uplake from the south shore of Lake Chelan.

• View of Lake Chelan from Lakeshore trail, near Stehekin.

• Domke Falls is the best known waterfall that drops into the lake.