Benton Lake (Montana)

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Benton Lake in 2013 Aerial photograph of Benton Lake (8600350473).jpg
Benton Lake in 2013

Benton Lake is a 5,600 acre wetland in the U.S. state of Montana, and within both the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Benton Lake Wetland Management District.

Contents

Location and description

1929 illustration of the area of the bird refuge area Benton Lake Bird Refuge EO 5228 illustration.png
1929 illustration of the area of the bird refuge area

The lake is in west-central Montana within both the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Benton Lake Wetland Management District. [1] [2] Benton Lake is located approximately 3 miles north west of Black Horse Lake. [3]

The lake is a 5,600 acre shallow wetland with no natural outlets. [2] Water volumes vary seasonally. [2]

History

The lake was created during the Pleistocene glacial period. [2]

The Benton Lake Wetland Management District was created in 1929. [2]

Ecology

An eastern kingbird at Benton Lake, 2011 Eastern Kingbird, Benton Lake NWR.jpg
An eastern kingbird at Benton Lake, 2011

The lake hosts waterbirds, especially dabbing ducks. [2]

Related Research Articles

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Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

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Benton Lake Wetland Management District is located in the U.S. state of Montana and is the largest wetland district in the nation. Covering an area of 25,000 sq mi (65,000 km2) around Benton Lake, the district extends from the Canada–United States border to Helena, Montana. Within the district are 23 Waterfowl Production Areas under conservation easements with local landowners ensuring these areas will not be developed, yet will remain within private ownership. The district is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with headquarters located at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

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References

  1. "Hydrology and water chemistry of the Benton Lake basin with emphasis on the fate of dissolved solids at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, west-central Montana." US Official News, 22 July 2019. Gale OneFile: News, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A594324234/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=79395ea5. Accessed 27 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "An Evaluation of Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options for Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge". Docslib. 2009. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  3. Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge Map, 1984, Government of Montana https://mtnhp.org/mtbird/PopPlaces_Pdfs/BentonLakeNWR.pdf

Coordinates: 47°41′10″N111°21′08″W / 47.68611°N 111.35222°W / 47.68611; -111.35222