Crater Lake
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, formed within the collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano and renowned for its strikingly clear, deep blue water.
Filling the collapsed caldera left behind by a volcanic eruption nearly 8,000 years ago, this lake's remarkable clarity comes from an unusual source: it has no rivers flowing in or out, fed purely by rain and snow.
Formed by a Collapsed Volcano
Crater Lake fills the caldera of Mount Mazama, a volcano that erupted catastrophically and collapsed approximately 7,700 years ago, leaving behind the basin that would become the lake.
The Deepest Lake in the United States
At 1,943 feet (592 meters), Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and among the clearest and deepest in the world.
No Inlets or Outlets
Remarkably, the lake has no rivers flowing in or out, with its water supplied entirely by direct rainfall and snowmelt, contributing significantly to its exceptional clarity.
Extraordinary Water Clarity
Crater Lake's lack of sediment input makes it one of the clearest lakes in the world, with its deep blue color resulting from the way sunlight interacts with its unusually pure water.
