Lake Village, Fishing Bridge, & Bridge Bay
West Thumb Basin Ledge
© National Park Service
Yellowstone Lake
With a surface area of 136 square miles, Yellowstone Lake is the largest lake at
high elevation (i.e., more than 7,000 ft.) in North America. It is a natural
lake, situated at 7,733 ft. above sea level. It is roughly 20 miles long and 14
miles wide with 110 miles of shoreline. It is frozen nearly half the year. It
freezes in late December or early January and thaws in late May or early June.
Recent research by Dr. Val Klump of the Center for Great Lakes Research and the
University of Wisconsin has revolutionized the way we look at Yellowstone Lake.
Figuratively, if one could pour all the water out of Yellowstone Lake, what
would be found on the bottom is similar to what is found on land in Yellowstone;
geysers, hot springs, and deep canyons. With a small submersible robot
submarine, the researchers found a canyon just east of Stevenson Island which
was 390 ft. deep. Prior to this finding, the deepest spot in the lake was
thought to be 320 ft. at West Thumb. Underwater geysers, hot springs, and
fumaroles were found at West Thumb and Mary and Sedge bays. The hottest spot in
the lake was found at Mary Bay where the temperature was recorded at 252° F
(122° C). Hollow pipes, or chimneys of silica, several feet in height, were
found rising up from the lake bottom at Mary Bay. It is thought that these are
the old plumbing systems of now dormant geysers. Rock spires up to 20-feet tall
were found underwater near Bridge Bay. Samples of this rock are being analyzed,
though it is believed that these features are probably related to underwater
thermal activity.
This group of researchers also found that the conditions in Yellowstone Lake are
similar to those that occur near the famous hydrothermal vents on the Pacific
Ocean's mid- ocean ridge. Nutrient- and mineral-rich submarine fountains support
incredible plant and animal communities, including bacterial mats, sponges, and
earthworms.
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River is the last major undammed river in the lower 48 states,
flowing 671 miles from its source southeast of Yellowstone into the Missouri
River and then, eventually, into the Atlantic Ocean. It begins in the Absaroka
Mountain Range on Yount Peak. The river enters the park and meanders through the
Thorofare region into Yellowstone Lake. It leaves the lake at Fishing Bridge and
flows north over LeHardy Rapids and through Hayden Valley. After this peaceful
stretch, it crashes over the Upper and Lower falls of the Grand Canyon. It then
flows generally northwest, meeting it's largest tributary, the Lamar River, at
Tower Junction. It continues through the Black Canyon and leaves the park near
Gardiner, Montana. The Yellowstone River continues north and east through the
state of Montana and joins the Missouri River near the eastern boundary line of
the state. The Missouri River eventually joins the Mississippi River, which
flows into the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition to the Yellowstone River, many of the spawning streams in the
Lake/Fishing Bridge/Bridge Bay area provide critical food sources for grizzly
bears in the spring time. Therefore, ecologically speaking, these river and
streams are a primary resource in the district. The LeHardy Rapids are a cascade
on the Yellowstone River, three miles north of Fishing Bridge.
Geomorphologically, it is thought that this is the actual spot where the lake
ends and the river continues it's northward flow. In the spring, many cutthroat
trout may be seen here, resting in the shallow pools before expending bursts of
energy to leap up the rapids on the their way to spawn under Fishing Bridge.
The rapids were named for Paul LeHardy, a civilian topographer with the Jones
Expedition in 1873. Jones and a partner started off on a raft with the intent of
surveying the river, planning to meet the rest of their party at the Lower
Falls. Upon hitting the rapids, the raft capsized, and many of the supplies were
lost, including guns, bedding, and food. LeHardy and his partner saved what they
could and continued their journey to the falls on foot.
The rapids became a popular visitor attraction when a boardwalk was built in
1984 providing access to the area. Due to increased visitation, a group of
harlequin ducks, which once frequented this area in spring, have not been seen
for several years. The boardwalk has consequently been closed in early spring to
protect this sensitive habitat, but the harlequins have not returned.
Mud Volcano/Sulphur Caldron
When the Washburn Expedition explored the area in 1870, Nathaniel Langford
described Mud Volcano as "greatest marvel we have yet met with." Although the
Mud Volcano can no longer be heard from a mile away nor does it throw mud from
it's massive crater, the area is still eerily intriguing.
The short loop from the parking lot past the Dragon's Mouth and the Mud Volcano
is handicapped accessible. The half-mile upper loop trail via Sour Lake and the
Black Dragon's Caldron is relatively steep. Two of the most popular features in
the Mud Volcano front country are the Dragon's Mouth and the Black Dragon's
Caldron. The rhythmic belching of steam and the flashing tongue of water give
the Dragon's Mouth Spring it's name, though its activity has decreased notably
since December 1994. The Black Dragon's Caldron exploded onto the landscape in
1948, blowing trees out by their roots and covering the surrounding forest with
mud. The large roil in one end of the Caldron gives one the sense that the Black
Dragon itself might rear it's head at any time.
In January 1995, a new feature on the south bank of Mud Geyser became extremely
active. It covers an area of 20 by 8 feet and is comprised of fumaroles, small
pools, and frying-pan type features. Much of the hillside to the south and
southwest of Mud Geyser is steaming and hissing with a few mudpots intermixed.
This increase in activity precipitated a great deal of visitor interest and
subsequent illegal entry into the area.
The most dramatic features of the Mud Volcano area however, are not open to the
public. The huge seething mud pot known as the "Gumper" is located off-boardwalk
behind Sour Lake. The more recent features just south of the Gumper are some of
the hottest and most active in the area. Ranger-guided walks are offered to
provide visitors an opportunity to view this interesting place.
Farther in the backcountry behind Mud Volcano, several features are being tested
for the existence of thermophilic microbes, which may offer insights into origin
of life theories as well as having medical/environmental applications.
The Sulphur Caldron area can be viewed from a staging area just north of Mud
Volcano. The Sulphur Caldron is among the most acidic springs in the park with a
pH of 1.3. Its yellow, turbulent splashing waters bring to mind images of
Shakespeare's soothsayers. Other features which can be viewed from this overlook
are Turbulent Pool (which is no longer "turbulent") and the crater of a large,
active mudpot.
For more specific information on the features of the Mud Volcano/Sulphur Caldron
area, consult the annual reports that are available in the Ranger Naturalist
Office adjacent to the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center.
Hayden and Pelican Valleys
The Hayden Valley is located six miles north of Fishing Bridge Junction. The
Pelican Valley is situated three miles east of Fishing Bridge. These two vast
valleys comprise some of the best habitat in the lower 48 states for grizzly
bears, bison, elk, and other wildlife species.
Natural Bridge
Located just south of Bridge Bay Campground, it is an easy one-mile walk to the
Natural Bridge. There is also a bicycle trail leading to the bridge. The Natural
Bridge was formed by erosion of this rhyolite outcrop by Bridge Creek. The top
of the bridge is approximately 51 ft. above the creek. A short switchback trail
leads to the top, though travel across the bridge is now prohibited to protect
this feature.
Yellowstone National Park, WY Weather
Currently Outside21F Ice fog. Cold. |
