Minnesota May Have Over 10,000 Lakes, but Only One Salt Lake

When you hear the word ‘saltwater,’ you instantly think of the ocean. When you hear the word ‘salt lake’ you either think of Salt Lake City or the Great Salt Lake. Well, Minnesota has its own Salt Lake. And I’m not just talking about a lake that shares a name --  which it does – I’m also talking about a lake that is also a saltwater lake.

Salt Lake is in Marietta, Minnesota, and it’s the only alkaline lake in the state. Who knew that there was even a single body of body with salt in Minnesota? Salt Lake is right on the Minnesota/South Dakota border. And a little part of the lake is in South Dakota. But most of it is in Minnesota, so we got dibs.

If you are an avid bird watcher, then Salt Lake is a must-visit. Here’s what some people have to say about it on roadsideamerica.com

This briny body of water attracts all sorts of birds not native to the area and is a birdwatching mecca. Alkaline soils run off into the lake, which has no inlet or outlet, leaving it a legitimate salt lake. There is an informational sign and a nice viewing platform area. - BS Meyer via roadsideamerica.com

It is the only salty body of water between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Salt Lake in Utah. It is a popular birdwatching area as scores of species of birds, particularly shore birds stop over on their annual migration routes across the midwest. - Tom Watson via roadsideamerica.com

Some other interesting facts about Salt Lake according to highwayhighlights.com:

• Over 150 species of birds have been seen there.
• Brine shrimp, which are only found in salt lakes, live in the water.
• The next closest salt lake is the Great Salt Lake.

Sources: roadsideamerica.com, highwayhighlights.com