Lake Missoula, Prehistoric glacial lake in Montana, United States
The former Lake Missoula extended across 3,000 square miles of western Montana, reaching depths of over 1,200 feet during the last Ice Age.
Between 15,000 and 13,000 years ago, massive ice dams repeatedly formed and collapsed, releasing water volumes equal to half of Lake Michigan.
Native American tribes established settlements around the former lake basin, utilizing the rich resources left behind by glacial activity.
Visitors can explore multiple observation points along Montana highways to examine the ancient shorelines marked on surrounding mountain slopes.
The lake's periodic floods transported enough water and sediment to carve out the Channeled Scablands across eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
Location: Montana
GPS coordinates: 46.93890,-114.14400
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:58
Washington–Grizzly Stadium
14.9 km
The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas
28.4 km
Traveler's Rest
22.8 km
Wilma Theater
13.8 km
Fort Fizzle
22 km
Missoula Public Library
13.9 km
Florence Hotel
13.7 km
Council Grove State Park
3 km
The Payne Family Native American Center
14.9 km
KettleHouse Amphitheater
22.6 km
Millennium Building
13.8 km
Missoula County Courthouse
13.5 km
Brinks House
26.4 km
Masonic Lodge
13.7 km
Milltown State Park
20.2 km
Alberton School
26.7 km
First Interstate Center
13.7 km
Splash Montana
14.9 km
A Carousel for Missoula
13.5 km
Marent Gulch Trestle
7.3 km
Currents Water Park
12.8 km
Fred T. Sterling House
14.4 km
Mrs. Lydia McCaffery's Furnished Rooms
13.2 km
Bellows Residence
14.6 km
Apartment Building at 116 Spruce Street
13.6 km
Wilson House
25.8 km
Chadwick House
26.5 km
Mineral Peak Lookout
26.1 kmReviews
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