Before 1925 there wasn't a lake here. Lower Slide Lake was created in June of that year by a giant landslide following snowmelt and heavy rain. 38,000,000 cubic metres of primarily rock slid down the north face of Sheep Mountain, crossed over the Gros Ventre River, creating a huge dam over 61 m high and 370 m wide across the River. More info on this event can be found here. The landslide lasted just minutes and was one of the largest ever documented.
In May 1927, a portion of the dam failed, and resulting in a massive flood that wiped out the nearby bustling town of Kelly. Kelly is now just a hamlet serving tourists, but it was once in line to become the county seat. Now the town of Jackson Hole, 7 miles away, has that honour and has become an ugly, touristy, and very affluent town.
The area has exposed partially vegetated limestones and shales which make for some striking scenery:
No comments:
Post a Comment