Lake Abert is located in the Southern-central area of Oregon, south-central Lake County, about 30 miles north of Lakeview, on the west side of Highway 395.
 
One of the largest lakes in Oregon, with no outlet, water can only leave by evaporation. As a result, sodium carbonates and other salts become concentrated in the lake's waters. Note image of white rock showing effects of alkalinity. The shore line image above of white is a field of such rocks. Abert Rim strectches 30 miles north to south. Lake Abert normally covers 60 square miles however the lake varies in size from year to year depending upon precipitation. It went almost completely dry 140 years ago. Elevation is 6,250 feet. One of only a handful of inland nest sites for Snowy Plovers in Oregon. Hosts tens of thousands of Eared Grebes, Wilson's Phalaropes, and Red-necked Phalaropes during fall migration.
 
Abert Rim - with a vertical face more than a quarter mile high, this 30-mile long fault rises 2,000 feet above Lake Abert and is one of the longest exposed fault escarpments in North America. It began forming during geological upheaval several million years ago. (only 30 min. North of Lakeview!)
 
in 1843 the Lake & Rim were discovered by Lt. John Fremont and his party while searching for the mythical Buena Ventura River that was thought to flow from Klamath Lake into San Francisco Bay. Fremont named the lake and rim after his commanding officer, Colonel J.J. Abert.  The Rim is a striking formation, extending for 19 miles along the edge of Lake Abert. It rises 2,000 feet above the plateau with an 800 foot lava cap that ends in a sheer precipice. The scarp is practically a perfect fault, and one of the highest fault scarps in the world.

This Abert Rim Photo was taking around 1960. Stretching from the south end of Lake Abert to Alkali Lake, this is the best area to view bighorn sheep. One of the most popular spots is above the geologic point of interest sign near mile marker 81. Bighorn sheep were transplanted to the rim in 1975 and 1977 from nearby Hart Mountain. At the shoreline numerous western snowy plover, one of the largest breeding populations of such species in the world, are easily seen swimming in small three inch circles, stirring up the brine shrimp, for a steady diet in this salty habitat. Also watch for raptors, such as ferruginous hawk, soaring above the lake.   Lake Abert and Abert Rim is 100,000 acreas managed by the BLM. Located 17 miles north of Lakeview, the highway parallels Lake Abert for 18 miles.

For more area info visit: Lake County Chamber Of Commerce www.lakecountychamber.org   or call 541-947-6040

   

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