10 Legendary Lakes (PHOTOS)

We've all heard about the Loch Ness monster in Scotland, but how many of us know the dramatic story behind Lake Kariba, Africa's largest man-made reservoir, or the "real" location of the El Dorado myth?

Myths and legends have excited and inspired human beings for generations. We've compiled a list of seven unique and beautiful lakes around the world, with stories of love and divine vengeance to match. Fair travels, seeker!

 

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Crater Lake, Oregon

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Crater Lake is the deepest freshwater body in the United States. The Klamath Indians of Oregon describe the creation of the lake in a legend. Llao, the spirit of the Below World, fell in love with the beautiful daughter of the Klamatah chief. When she rejected him on account of his ugly appearance, Llao swore to take revenge on her people. The Klamatah chief sought help from Skell, the spirit of the Sky. A furious battle ensued between the two gods - analogous to the violent eruption of Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago - but finally, Skell defeated Llao. In order to imprison him in the Below World forever, Skell collapsed the top of Mount Mazama and filled up the hole with beautiful blue water. When explorers discovered the lake in 1853, they said it was the bluest lake they had ever seen. Today, Crater Lake National Park is host to a variety of activities, including hiking, boating, camping and cross-country skiing.

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Crater Lake is the deepest freshwater body in the United States. The Klamath Indians of Oregon describe the creation of the lake in a legend.

Llao, the spirit of the Below World, fell in love with the beautiful daughter of the Klamatah chief. When she rejected him on account of his ugly appearance, Llao swore to take revenge on her people.

The Klamatah chief sought help from Skell, the spirit of the Sky. A furious battle ensued between the two gods - analogous to the violent eruption of Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago - but finally, Skell defeated Llao. In order to imprison him in the Below World forever, Skell collapsed the top of Mount Mazama and filled up the hole with beautiful blue water.

When explorers discovered the lake in 1853, they said it was the bluest lake they had ever seen. Today, Crater Lake National Park is host to a variety of activities, including hiking, boating, camping and cross-country skiing.

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Lake

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Not interested. I wanna go!

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Comments

[AsISaid]

06:19 PM on 10/05/2010

No Tahoe?

[Guatemaladreams]

04:33 PM on 10/05/2010

Lake Atitlan in Guatemala is one of the worlds most beautiful and threatened lakes. Unfortunately there is a major cyanobacteria infestation in this amazing lake. There is a very informative website about the cyanobacteria and Lake Atitlan at http://www.lakeatitlanhealth.com

[Occam123]

09:30 PM on 10/04/2010

Compared to Baikal, Lake Louis is a tiny puddle.  I stayed at that  overpriced  ersatz Swiss hotel ( forgot its name). the whole scene was  cheesy and touristy beyond  belief.

[Pileated1]

09:03 AM on 10/04/2010

What about Swan Lake? Or, Fire Lake?
Clarks Hill Reservoir has got to be on this list.

[EmilyRose2010]

08:01 AM on 10/04/2010

This list is incomplete of course. The lakes in Italy are so beautiful.
Where are the lakes of Japan?
Reissue please.

[Oakland]

06:18 AM on 10/04/2010

So the Great Lakes are the marvel of the planet, and you pick inland ponds over the straits of Mackinac.... Yes, Superior is superior, but nothing can compare to the Great Lakes system.

[liberalbug]

03:18 AM on 10/04/2010

Lame legends, but beautiful lakes.

[thegirlnextdoor]

03:13 AM on 10/04/2010

"In the blue Canadian rockies
spring is sighing through the trees
and the golden poppies are blooming
on the shores of Lake Louise."

[ahmed01]

01:31 AM on 10/04/2010

Lake Saiful Malook is awesome...just getting there is a treat

[Telemachus Sneezed]

01:24 AM on 10/04/2010

FWIW, I don't see how Issyk Kul, at 5272 feet in elevation, can be the second-highest alpine lake when Tahoe is 6225 feet and Yellowstone is 7732 feet.

[Telemachus Sneezed]

01:29 AM on 10/04/2010

Not to mention three others on this list.

[gevan]

12:56 AM on 10/04/2010

Como again? I'd pop my Champlain corks over this list if it included Takanassee.

[Ed Boisv]

11:44 PM on 10/03/2010

Loch Ness, anybody?

[anotherplayaguy]

11:43 PM on 10/03/2010

7 does not equal 10.

Can no one count any more?

Ditto on Tahoe.

[rjmtx]

11:41 PM on 10/03/2010

Caddo Lake

The only (mostly) natural lake in Texas. A very cool place if you're like that kind of thing.

[ChicagoBob]

10:58 PM on 10/03/2010

What's this?

You got something against Lake Michigan?

[gevan]

12:57 AM on 10/04/2010

It's name is 'Michigan'.