Harker Lake

Harker Lake
Location Kidder County, North Dakota
Coordinates 46°49.63′N 99°43.25′W / 46.82717°N 99.72083°W / 46.82717; -99.72083Coordinates: 46°49.63′N 99°43.25′W / 46.82717°N 99.72083°W / 46.82717; -99.72083
Type Glacial lake
Basin countries United States
Surface elevation 529 m (1,735 ft)

Harker Lake is a shallow glacial lake located in Kidder County, North Dakota, United States. It is 5 km (3.1 mi) south-southeast of the town of Dawson, North Dakota, and 80.5 km (50.0 mi) east of the state capital, Bismarck. The lake is entirely surrounded by the wetlands and marshes of the Slade National Wildlife Refuge, and public access is limited. It is very marshy.

History

Historically, the marshes and wetlands south of the town of Dawson, North Dakota support a large quantity of migratory waterfowl, which have attracted hunters. George Theron Slade, Third Vice President of the Northern Pacific Railroad, enjoyed hunting game birds in the area. In 1924, he began purchasing land around Harker Lake for the use of a private shooting club.[1] Slade invested a considerable sum into improving the land with the aim of making it more attractive for waterfowl. Improvements included planting and harvesting a limited amount of organically-grown grain to provide bird feed, and a well capable of pumping 60,500 liters (16,000 gallons) of water per hour to keep the lake level from falling during drought. In 1940, Slade donated the land to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, which used the land to establish the Slade National Wildlife Refuge.[2]

Wildlife

Harker Lake is used by waterfowl approximately nine months out of the year. The most common species to be found include Canada geese, mallards, snow geese, ring-necked pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, and Hungarian partridges. White-tailed deer are common around the lake, and some coyotes live in the area. A majority of the grasslands around the perimeter of the lake are introduced grasses and legumes.

See also

References

Cited References
  1. ↑ United States Fish and Wildlife Service (2006). Slade National Wildlife Refuge Overview. Retrieved Aug. 15, 2006.
  2. ↑ United States Fish and Wildlife Service (2006). Long National Wildlife Refuge: "Slade National Wildlife Refuge: Kidder County, North Dakota". Retrieved Aug. 15, 2006.
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