Salt Lake | |
---|---|
Location | Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota and Deuel County, South Dakota |
Coordinates | 44°57′53″N 96°26′40″W / 44.96472°N 96.44444°W |
Surface area | 312 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]