Written by Alexa Martinez, MNWR Wildlife Biologist
Hellllooooooooooo Malheur Lake enthusiasts!
After a long winter break of no lake updates, we are slowly starting to get visitors at headquarters and seeing water in the far distance from 205, so I guess it’s time once again to bring back the episodes oooooooof…..HOW BIG IS MALHEUR LAKE?!!!!
This episode is sponsored by the 2024 Migratory Bird Festival where we welcome all levels of birding skills and interest to enjoy the wonderful spring migration here in Harney County! As a friendly reminder please remember:
- If you are birding please pull off the side of the road as best you can without getting stuck,
- Please put your hazard lights ON,
- Do not go past closed area signs (remember there might be birds starting to nest; just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there!),
- and lastly, as you all are strolling through the refuge please make sure your dogs are on leash at all times.
Now to the real thing you all have been waiting for!!! As of March 19, 2024, Malheur Lake is around 30,795 acres!!!
As you can see from the satellite imagery above, brought to us by Sentinel Hub EO Brower, the lake is starting to fill up from are melting snow pack from the Steen’s Mountain to the south and Snow Mountain to the north. Just to give you an estimate of how far the water is to reach the Narrows on 205 is about 0.53 of a mile!!! At the moment the lake is being occupied by our early arrivals such as Northern Pintail as well as over 1,500 swans! We are also seeing a variety of ducks moving through, from Mallards, Northern shoveler and American Wigeon. Oh, and you can’t forget the snow geese!
In this image to the left, you can see how Harney Lake is filling up with water as well!
Pretty cool, huh?
Pretty cool, huh?
Well folks, that brings us to the end of our lake update. Hopefully you all enjoyed this month’s episode of “HOW BIG IS THE LAKE?!” Wishing you all a happy Spring! Please drive safe out on the roads and remember we DON’T SLAM OUR BREAKS to see a bird! Safety is always first!
