Hanging Lake designated natural landmark

By Gary Harmon
Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar designated Hanging Lake, which was formed by travertine deposition, as a natural landmark.

Natural landmarks are areas that are recognized for outstanding and unique biological or geological features.

Hanging Lake, which sits above Interstate 70 in the White River National Forest east of Glenwood Springs, is accessible by foot.

The lake and associated falls support a rare wetland ecosystem, including hanging gardens.

Hanging Lake is among six new natural landmarks designated today and the actions bring the number of natural landmarks in the United States to 591.

The fossil area west and north of Golden was designated as an extension to the existing Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark, and will now be known as the Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas National Natural Landmark.