Salt Lake (Minnesota–South Dakota)

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Salt Lake
Southeast shore of Salt Lake, Minnesota.jpg
Southeast shore of Salt Lake
Location of Salt Lake on the border of Minnesota and South Dakota, USA.
Location of Salt Lake on the border of Minnesota and South Dakota, USA.
Salt Lake
LocationLac Qui Parle County, Minnesota and Deuel County, South Dakota
Coordinates44°57′53″N 96°26′40″W / 44.96472°N 96.44444°W / 44.96472; -96.44444Coordinates: 44°57′53″N 96°26′40″W / 44.96472°N 96.44444°W / 44.96472; -96.44444
Surface area312 acres (126 ha)[1]

Salt Lake is a natural lake lying between Minnesota and South Dakota in the United States.[2]

Salt Lake received its name due to the naturally occurring salt at the lake shore, a by-product of the alkaline soils which surround the lake.[3][4] It is the only alkaline lake in Minnesota and its water is approximately one-third the salinity of sea water.[1] Salt grasses grow along the shore and in the lake's water.[4]

The site is one of the most popular birdwatching sites in Minnesota.[1] One hundred and forty one different species of birds have been identified by birders in the vicinity of the lake.[1] Sago pondweed and brine shrimp in the lake attract large flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds.[1] Frequently seen birds at Salt Lake include avocets, willets and ducks such as the canvasback, gadwall, and shoveler.[4]

Like other prairie basin lakes, Salt Lake has dry and wet cycles in which the lake will periodically dry out completely.[5] During dry years, exposed wetland mud flats are streaked in white layers of salt.[5]

See also[]

  • List of lakes in Minnesota
  • List of lakes in South Dakota

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Salt Lake IBA". Audubon. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Salt Lake (Minnesota–South Dakota)
  3. ^ Federal Writers' Project (1940). South Dakota place-names, v.2. University of South Dakota. p. 66.
  4. ^ a b c Steil, Mark (15 August 2000). "Minnesota: Land of One Salt Lake". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b McCormick, Tori (8 March 2018). "Where spring migration rules: Head to Salt Lake in Lac qui Parle County". Star Tribune. Retrieved 26 April 2020.


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