Diablo Lake

The lake is located along the Skagit River, not far from the equally well-known Ross Lake, and sits at an elevation of 1,201 feet above sea level. Situated in the North Cascades National Park, the lake is home to various fish species, including rainbow and cutthroat trout. The lake is also one of three, including Ross Lake and Gorge Lake, which provides electricity to the largest city in Washington State— Seattle. 

Visitors might also find themselves interested in hiking the Diablo Lake Trail. This trail provides hikers with a 7.6-mile round trip experience that gains 1,400 feet in elevation (reaching a maximum of 1,950 feet above sea level). Along the way to the trailhead, visitors can get views of numerous minor North Cascades peaks, including Davis Peaks, Pyramid, and Jack Mountain. 

Facts about Diablo Lake 

• Location: North Cascades Highway 20, Whatcom County, Washington 
• Maximum Depth: 320 ft 
• Surface Area:  803.60 acres 
• Elevation: 1,201 feet (366 m)
• Primary Outflow: Skagit River

Credit: Walter Siegmund

Diablo Lake Characteristics 

• Located six miles northeast of Newhalem.
• The construction of the diablo dam in 1930 created this 5-mile long reservoir.
• The lake is home to salmon and trout. 
• It sits at an elevation of 1,201 feet. 
• The lake has a distinctive teal colour. 
• It is one of three lakes that provides electricity to Seattle. 

Diablo Lake Colour 

Of all of Diablo Lake’s many intriguing characteristics, its turquoise green colour is the most common reason that visitors find themselves pulling off of Highway 20 and taking the time to snap a few photos or walk along the trails of Diablo Lake. According to the National Park Service, its colour results from suspended rock particles, known as glacial flour, refracting sunlight. As the rock in the surrounding mountains is eroded, it makes its way into the Skagit River and its lakes below. The colour is said to be most vibrant on sunny days in July, August, and September, when the seasonal glacial melt occurs.

Diablo Dam

The Diablo Dam is a large spillway that opened in 1930. It created the often-visited Diablo Lake. It reaches a height of 389 feet and runs for over 1,100 feet in length. It is located in Diablo Canyon along the upper part of the Skagit River in Whatcom County. When it was completed, it was the tallest dam in the world. The water from the dam creates hydroelectric power, creating 689,400,000 KWh annually. 

From the top of the dam, which is also a tourist attraction, visitors can look down at Diablo Lake and the surrounding peaks and hills. 

Credit: Dan Huntington

Skagit River and Diablo Lake

The Skagit River is a well-known river that runs through southwestern British Columbia and northwestern Washington. The river’s watershed varies in temperature, ranging from −6 °F (−21 °C) to a high of 109 °F (43 °C). Along the river are Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, and Gorge Lake, as well as their three respective dams (Ross Dam, Diablo Dam, and Gorge Dam) which are responsible for creating these often-visited recreational areas.

Credit: Ron Clausen

The Skagit River is an incredibly important breeding ground for salmon and a home for trout. It is unique in the fact that it contains five native salmon species: chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink. 

Also of note, the river plays host to a large winter bald eagle population, one of the largest in the United States. At peak times, between 600 to 800 bald eagles find their way to the river to hunt for salmon. This is yet another reason visitors might find their way to Diablo Lake and its surrounding vistas.

Credit: Steven Pavlov

What Makes Diablo Lake Special? 

Visitors often cite Diablo Lake’s fishing opportunities, it’s distinctive turquoise color thanks to surrounding glaciers, it’s stunning geology, and its incredible setting within Washington’s North Cascades as the main reasons why the lake is such a special place to visit. Additionally, it is very easily accessible off of the North Cascades Highway (at the Diablo Lake Overlook), or Highway 20. The best time of year for hiking, water sports, fishing, and camping tends to be between May and September.

Wildlife

Within the creeks and brooks of Diablo Lake live many fish species. The most common species that have been seen in the glacial streams are the rainbow trout and bull trout. This makes the lake great for fishermen. As the lake is surrounded by the North Cascades National Park, mammals such as Bears, Wolves, and Lynx frequent the areas around the lake.

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