Al Camp photo

Lake Roosevelt's upper reaches meander through tree- and sage-covered hills.

     If you enjoy geological history, wildlife watching or water sports you can find them in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.
     The recreation area stretches 130 miles along the length of Lake Roosevelt, the Columbia River backed up by Lake Roosevelt. The lake boasts 600 miles of shoreline and 81,000 acres of lake surface.
     The dark, layered rock walls were built up from lava that gushed out of enormous cracks in the earth. During the last Ice Age, catastrophic floods with 10 times the flow of all the rivers on earth raged through the area, carving the spectacular canyon of the Grand Coulee and other deep channels.
     The lake was created in 1941 with the construction of Grand Coulee Dam.      The lake, named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, offers sand and gravel beaches, swimming areas and opportunities for fishing, boating, camping, water skiing and wildlife watching.
     Creation of the sprawling recreation area began with 24 million tons of concrete and steel to make Grand Coulee Dam. The dam turned the power of the Columbia River into electricity and vast deserts into productive farmlands.
     Just below the dam is a visitor's center with murals, artifacts and photographs documenting the site before, during and after construction.
     Western forts and missions located in the area are reminders of the past when missionaries and explorers for the Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Trading Company mapped the area, built settlements and developed relationships with the tribes.
     Surrounding the lake are a natural conifer forest, scrublands and grasslands that are home to bald eagles, black bear, elk, bobcat and other wildlife. Osprey, hawks and smaller birds are year-round residents.
     Portions of the recreation area are open seasonally for hunting. Game includes whitetail and mule deer, black bear, pheasant, quail, chukar and migratory birds such as mourning doves, ducks and Canada geese.
     More than 30 species of game fish swim the lake's waters.
     All Lake Roosevelt campgrounds can be reached by boat. They have picnic tables and restrooms, and most have water and fire grills.
     Tribal camping permits are required at campgrounds on the Spokane and Colville Indian reservations, both of which border the lake.
n Information
     • Water levels: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1 (800) 824-4916.
     • Recreational area: (509) 633-9331 or www.nps.gov/laro/index.htm.