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Natural Glacial•Washington Lakes•Clallam County

Lake Crescent, Washington: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Lake Crescent featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
5,127 acres
20.7 km²
Max Depth
624 feet
190.2 m
Elevation
580 feet
177 m ASL
Shoreline
30 miles
48 km
Coordinates
48.067°, -123.800°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-02
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Lake Crescent Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
578.98 ft
Normal Full Pool: 580.00 ft
Below Full Pool
Difference from Full Pool
-1.02 ft(below)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity93.7% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 580.00 ft
24h Change: +0.09 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 1,441,200 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
1,181 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
1,202 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
57°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
50.9 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is -21 cfs (Releasing volume). Water level is rising at 0.09 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Good Boating Conditions
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
SSE 163°
11 mph
Gusts: 25 mph
Blowing from SSE (163°) at 11 mph
Surface Wave Conditions0.8 ft wave height
Light Chop (0.5 - 1.0 ft)
Moderate Surface Ripple
Barometer
30.05 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Peak Feeding Window
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 11 mph SSE
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Lake Crescent.
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Interactive Map of Lake Crescent

48.0667° N, 123.8000° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 48.0667° N, -123.8° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Lake Crescent?

Lake Crescent is located in Clallam County in the state of Washington, at geographical coordinates 48.0667° North latitude and 123.8000° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 580 feet (177 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Port Angeles
18 miles away
Sequim
34 miles away
Seattle
100 miles away

About Lake Crescent

Crystal clear emerald waters of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park Washington
Natural Glacial • Olympic Peninsula Deep Glacial LakeVerified 2026-03-02

Lake Crescent is a pristine, deep glacial lake located in the northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains inside Olympic National Park in Washington. Famous for its jaw-dropping crystal clarity and iridescent blue color caused by a lack of nitrogen, the lake reaches 624 feet deep and is home to two endemic trout varieties: the Beardslee trout and the Crescenti cutthroat trout.

Hydrographic Classification:

Lake Crescent is categorized as a Olympic Peninsula Deep Glacial Lake. Its designated primary authorized uses include National Park Scientific Preservation, Wilderness Recreation, Ecosystem Conservation.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Lake Crescent is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

Beardslee Trout (Endemic)Crescenti Cutthroat Trout (Endemic)
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Kayaking & CanoeingHiking the Marymere Falls TrailHistoric Lake Crescent Lodge StaysScenic Driving on Highway 101Trout Catch-and-Release

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (2)

  • •Lake Crescent Lodge Dock
  • •Fairholme Marina Dock

Public Boat Launches (2)

  • •Fairholme Public Boat Launch
  • •Storm King Boat Launch

Parks & Recreation (2)

  • •Olympic National Park
  • •Olympic National Forest

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Lake Crescent

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Lake Crescent Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area5,127 acres20.7 km²
Maximum Depth624 feet190.2 meters
Average Depth300 feet91.4 meters
Water Surface Elevation580 feet above sea level177 meters
Shoreline Length30 miles48 km
Lake ClassificationNatural Glacial (Olympic Peninsula Deep Glacial Lake)
GPS Coordinates48.0667° N, 123.8000° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Crescent

7 verified answers
Why does Lake Crescent have such astonishing clarity?+
The lake water is extremely nutrient-poor (oligotrophic) and lacks nitrogen, preventing algae and aquatic weeds from growing, allowing exceptional visibility up to 60 feet.
How deep is Lake Crescent in Washington?+
Lake Crescent reaches a verified maximum depth of 624 feet (190 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 300 feet (91 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical natural glacial bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Lake Crescent?+
At normal conservation pool, Lake Crescent covers approximately 5,127 surface acres (about 8.0 square miles or 20.7 km²) at an elevation of 580 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 30 miles (48 km) throughout Clallam County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
What game fish can you catch in Lake Crescent?+
Anglers on Lake Crescent target Beardslee Trout (Endemic), Crescenti Cutthroat Trout (Endemic). Peak fishing occurs during spring spawning runs in shallow bays and submerged timber, followed by summer deep-water trolling near thermocline depths and structural humps. Autumn brings aggressive feeding activity along windward points.
Can you boat on Lake Crescent and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Lake Crescent. Public boat launch facilities include Fairholme Public Boat Launch, Storm King Boat Launch. Full-service marinas including Lake Crescent Lodge Dock and Fairholme Marina Dock offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Lake Crescent and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Lake Crescent is managed and monitored in coordination with National Park Service & USGS. Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest. Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Lake Crescent come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Lake Crescent are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily National Park Service & USGS and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-02. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: National Park Service & USGS
Last verified: 2026-03-02 • Record ID: lake-crescent-wa
View Official Source

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