Toolik Lake is a deep kettle lake located on the North Slope of Alaska (68.3oN, 149.36oE). It is oligotrophic (annual production of 12g C/m2), stratifies with surface temperatures up to 18oC, and is ice-free from July through September. The surface temperature may reach 18oC, but the volume weighted summer temperature is 10-14oC (Miller et al. 1986). Toolik lake is dimictic despite its northern location. Ice cover, which may reach 1.4m thick, forms in early October. Toolik Lake typically stratifies in late June or early July when the thermocline is located at 5-7m and mixes in late August. For additional information please see the Arctic Lakes Research Overview.
Elevation (m): 719
Surface Area (ha): 150
Volume (cubic meters): 10,566,000
Mean Depth (m):
Max Depth (m):
Catchment Area (ha): 6688
Water Retention Time (years): 1.0
Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus)
Slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus)
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
Round White fish (Prosopium cylindraceum)
Burbot (Lota lota)
