• The calm, inviting waters of the Spokane Arm. Photo Credit: NPS\LARO\John Salisbury

    Lake Roosevelt

    National Recreation Area Washington

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Plants

Golden Translucent apple tree that died in 2008.

Planted by the hands of Indian children at the Fort Spokane Boarding School some time between 1900 and 1907, this tree is no longer a living connection to the fort's history.

Jeff Axel - NPS

News: Historic Apple Tree Dies at Fort Spokane

June, 2008: One of the Fort's few remaining historic apple trees has died. Planted over 100 years ago by Indian children attending the Fort Spokane boarding school, only a couple of apple trees remain today. The variety of apple is known as the Transparent or Golden Transparent, a once-popular variety that is no longer cultivated. It is not known what killed the tree but the winter of 2008 was one of the coldest in living memory. This was the second apple tree to die in recent years, as another tree had died in 2005.

If you would like to see this historic variety of apple before they are gone, there are a few left by the visitor center parking lot, and one large specimen by the reservoir. Other remnant species found at the Fort include asparagus, plum, and raspberry.

Did You Know?

These folks thought their campsite was far enough away from the water, but woke to find toys and coolers floating away.

Lake Roosevelt is the primary flood control reservoir on the Columbia River. The lake level can rise up to 4 feet per day in spring and drop 1 foot per day in summer. When shoreline camping, find out what the lake level is and don't put a tent close to the water unless you want a chilly surprise.