Lake Sherburne
Encyclopedia
Lake Sherburne is located in the Many Glacier
region of Glacier National Park, in the U. S. state of Montana
. The lake is a reservoir
, formed by Lake Sherburne Dam
, which impounded Swiftcurrent Creek and was constructed in between 1914 and 1921. The construction of the dam inundated several small lakes and highly productive riparian and wetland
areas, and due to its fluctuating water levels, the surrounding area supports little vegetation. However, trumpeter swan
s are often observed along the lake in the spring and fall. The lake stretches nearly 6 miles (9.7 km) when full. The reservoir is the principal water storage component of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Milk River Project, which provides irrigation water to north central Montana farms.
The name Lake Sherburne is derived from an early settler and businessman in the area, Joseph H Sherburne. He settled in the area (Browning) in 1896 and was the proprietor of the Sherburne Mercantile Company which had stores in towns in the area Browning, Babb and East Glacier. During this time he had a cabin for summer use by his family on the shore of what became known as Sherburne Lakes (plural). Once the dam was built in 1919 the name was revised to Lake Sherburne.
Fishing
along the lake is less than spectacular, but brook trout
and northern pike
can be caught there. A boat is generally required for fishing, but since there is no boat dock along the lake, it is usually necessary to park alongside the road and walk down to the lakeshore.
Many Glacier
Many Glacier is an area within Glacier National Park which is located in the U.S. state of Montana. The Many Glacier region is located north of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, on the east side of the park. Lake Sherburne is the large lake in the area and the Many Glacier Hotel, the largest hotel within...
region of Glacier National Park, in the U. S. state of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. The lake is a reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
, formed by Lake Sherburne Dam
Lake Sherburne Dam
Lake Sherburne Dam is a high compacted earthfill dam built between 1914 and 1921 built just outside the boundary of Glacier National Park, Montana. The dam impounds Swiftcurrent Creek as it flows out of the park. Water stored in Lake Sherburne is released to flow down Swiftcurrent Creek to the St...
, which impounded Swiftcurrent Creek and was constructed in between 1914 and 1921. The construction of the dam inundated several small lakes and highly productive riparian and wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
areas, and due to its fluctuating water levels, the surrounding area supports little vegetation. However, trumpeter swan
Trumpeter Swan
The Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator, is the largest native North American bird, if measured in terms of weight and length, and is the largest living waterfowl species on earth. It is the North American counterpart of the European Whooper Swan.-Description:Males typically measure from and weigh...
s are often observed along the lake in the spring and fall. The lake stretches nearly 6 miles (9.7 km) when full. The reservoir is the principal water storage component of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Milk River Project, which provides irrigation water to north central Montana farms.
The name Lake Sherburne is derived from an early settler and businessman in the area, Joseph H Sherburne. He settled in the area (Browning) in 1896 and was the proprietor of the Sherburne Mercantile Company which had stores in towns in the area Browning, Babb and East Glacier. During this time he had a cabin for summer use by his family on the shore of what became known as Sherburne Lakes (plural). Once the dam was built in 1919 the name was revised to Lake Sherburne.
Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
along the lake is less than spectacular, but brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
and northern pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
can be caught there. A boat is generally required for fishing, but since there is no boat dock along the lake, it is usually necessary to park alongside the road and walk down to the lakeshore.
See also
- List of lakes in Glacier County, Montana
- Glacier View DamGlacier View DamGlacier View Dam was proposed in 1943 on the North Fork of the Flathead River, on the western border of Glacier National Park in Montana. The tall dam, to be designed and constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the canyon between Huckleberry Mountain and Glacier View Mountain, would...
, a project proposed in the 1940s that would have created a large reservoir on the North Fork Flathead RiverNorth Fork Flathead RiverThe North Fork Flathead River is a river flowing through British Columbia , Canada south into the U.S. state of Montana. It is one of the three primary forks of the Flathead River, a tributary of the Pend Oreille River, via Clark Fork. The river is sometimes considered the upper headwaters of the...
in Glacier National Park