Lake Roosevelt facts

When was Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake formed?

When construction of the Grand Coulee Dam was completed in 1941, the waters of the mighty Columbia River began to backfill behind this enormous concrete structure. As a result, the waters of the once-untamed river swelled to create a 151-mile long reservoir, first called Columbia Reservoir. It was renamed Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake in honor of the 32nd President of the United States on April 17, 1945, five days after the death of Roosevelt.

What is the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area?

Lake Roosevelt is a federally-owned reservoir which is administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. However, recreation on the lake is managed cooperatively by three federal agencies and two Indian tribes. The National Park Service (NPS) has recreation authority for that portion of the lake and adjacent shoreland comprising the Lake Roosevelt National

Recreation Area (LRNRA). The Colville Confederated Tribes and the Spokane Tribe manage recreation along those areas of the lake and shoreline that fall within their reservation boundaries.

The two other partners in the management agreement are Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

How many campgrounds are there in the LRNRA?

Thirty-five campgrounds are located along the 660 miles of shoreline around Lake Roosevelt. Five are maintained by the Colville Confederated Tribes, two by the Spokane Indian Tribe and 28 by the National Park Service. The facilities provide opportunities for camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and fishing.