Lake Pateros, body of water
Lake Pateros is a large, deep reservoir on the Columbia River in Washington that stretches upstream from the dam. The lake is surrounded by open land with gentle hills and offers wide views across the water, with two boat launches for access and home to trout and steelhead fish.
The lake was created in 1967 when Wells Dam was built, backing up the Columbia River and flooding the original town of Pateros. The reservoir now controls water flow and generates hydroelectric power as part of a larger dam system in the region.
The name Lake Pateros reflects the area's past and was once called Butler Lake, Chief Long Jim Lake, and other names that mark different periods. Today visitors and locals honor Native American traditions through events like the Salmon Bake in June and educational monuments dedicated to the Methow Tribe.
The lake has two boat launches for easy access and is best visited during warm months for swimming, fishing, and boating activities. Parks along the shore provide picnic areas, shelters, and restrooms for day visitors and those staying overnight.
A notable sculpture titled 'Fish Swimming over Old Pateros' honors Native heritage and the submerged original town below the water. The installation sits near a local art foundry and invites visitors to picnic on the lakeshore while reflecting on the reshaped landscape.
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