Salt Lake is a natural lake lying between Minnesota and South Dakota in the United States.[2]

Salt Lake
Southeast shore of Salt Lake
Salt Lake Show map of Minnesota Salt Lake Show map of South Dakota Salt Lake Show map of the United States
Location	Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota and Deuel County, South Dakota
Coordinates	44°57′53″N 96°26′40″W
Surface area	312 acres (126 ha)[1]

Salt Lake received its name due to the naturally occurring salt at the lake shore, a by-product of the alkaline soils which surround the lake.[3][4] It is the only alkaline lake in Minnesota and its water is approximately one-third the salinity of sea water.[1] Salt grasses grow along the shore and in the lake's water.[4]

The site is one of the most popular birdwatching sites in Minnesota.[1] One hundred and forty one different species of birds have been identified by birders in the vicinity of the lake.[1] Sago pondweed and brine shrimp in the lake attract large flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds.[1] Frequently seen birds at Salt Lake include avocets, willets and ducks such as the canvasback, gadwall, and shoveler.[4]

Like other prairie basin lakes, Salt Lake has dry and wet cycles in which the lake will periodically dry out completely.[5] During dry years, exposed wetland mud flats are streaked in white layers of salt.[5]

See also

• List of lakes in Minnesota
• List of lakes in South Dakota

References

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