Harding Lake is a lake in the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Interior Alaska. It is named for President Warren G. Harding, who visited Alaska just before he died. Prior to that it was known as Salchaket Lake [3] Access to the lake is via the Richardson Highway[4][5]
| Harding Lake | |
|---|---|
| Salchaket Lake | |
 View from boat launch, in a lagoon at the State Recreation Area | |
  Harding Lake  Harding Lake | |
| Coordinates | 64°25′21″N 146°51′16″W / 64.42250°N 146.85444°W |
| Primary inflows | 3 small, unnamed creeks[1] |
| Primary outflows | 1 unnamed creek[1] |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 887.2 ha (2,192.3 acres)[2] |
| Max. depth | 43.0 m (141.1 ft.) |
| Shore length1 | 11.9 km (7.4 mi.) |
| Surface elevation | 218 m (715 ft.) |
| Frozen | late autumn to late spring |
| Settlements | Harding-Birch Lakes, Salcha |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Fish species
editThe lake contains a wide variety of native and stocked[2] fish, including Arctic char, burbot, Arctic grayling, and northern pike, as well as several salmon and trout species.[2][5] Anglers are advised to check current regulations with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game before fishing.[4]
Recreation Area
editThe lake is home to the Harding Lake State Recreation Area a 325 acres (132 ha) park[4] which features a large campground, boat launch, and facilities for sports and outdoor games.[5] This is one of the oldest units in the Alaska State Park system, having been founded in 1967,[4] before the formal state park network was even in place.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b ADF&G lake survey, August 1959
- ^ a b c Alaska Department of Fish and Game Lakes Database
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Harding Lake
- ^ a b c d Harding Lake State recreation Area Alaska Department of Natural Resources
- ^ a b c The Milepost, 2018 edition page 446 ISBN 9781892154378
- ^ DeVaugh, Melissa, History of Alaska State Parks pages 1&2