Coldwater had hot beginning

With most lakes, scientists can only make an estimate as to the time period in which they had their beginnings.

But the beginnings of Coldwater Lake can be pinned down to the minute.

Try 8:32 a.m. on May 18, 1980.

That's when a gigantic landslide swept down the north slope of nearby Mount St. Helens, unleashing a tremendous eruption -- and plugging off Coldwater Creek.

Çoldwater Lake formed in its place, with the Army Corps of Engineers later stepping in to make the plug permanent by creating a spillway and outlet channel.

Now the large lake sits placidly behind Johnston Ridge, filling a valley between it and Coldwater Ridge.

You can pull over on top of the plug on your way to or from the Johnston Ridge Observatory and check out the scene, or launch a boat as long as it's not motorized.

Rainbow and cutthroat trout provide targets for boaters with a one fish daily limit and maximum length of 16 inches.  The lake was stocked at one time but is no longer.

Or they can just cruise the five mile long, half mile wide lake and get a closer look at rocky Kim Island.

The area also features picnic tables, rest rooms and trails, including the 0.6-mile boardwalk Birth of a Lake Trail.  The Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center is nearby and overlooks the lake and valley.

The lake has an average depth of 87 feet with a maximum of 180 feet.  Its surface sits at 2,503 feet above sea level and covers 773.2 acres.

How to get there:

Take the State Route 504 exit off Interstate 5 at Castle Rock and head east toward Johnston Ridge.  Coldwater Lake will be to the left.

Text and photos by Tim Clinton.