The government’s high-profile, secret Area 51 is tucked away in the Nevada desert. Everyone is familiar with the name, but only a select few individuals have clearance to enter this restricted area of the Edwards Air Force Base. The secretive nature of the area has led many to speculate about the nature of the operations there.
The top secret Area 51 is well known by the public, however few know of a second base hidden in rural Idaho.
The Navy’s Acoustic Research Detachment is tightly controlled by the United States Navy. It is located on, and under, Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho. The closest residents are locals living in small villages scattered around the lake. For the past 70 years the navy has conducted a variety of underwater tests and experiments in the cold land-locked waters of Lake Pend Oreille.
The main focus of the research team is to test new equipment before it is implemented in active duty submarines. The lake is deep and relatively quiet which allows the team to record acoustic output of new submarine parts.
The lake, covering an astounding 148 square miles, is one of the largest in the western United States. The size and depth of this massive lake makes it the perfect place to test new submarine equipment. Add in the secluded nature of the lake, which is situated in Northern Idaho amongst a network of national parks, and you have the perfect place for top-secret activities.
But, you might wonder, why this lake in Idaho? Lake Pend Oreille at nearly 1200ft deep has plenty of depth to conduct covert operations. It’s remote location will keep curious visitors away. The distance from the sea means it is less likely to be attacked or receive unwelcome visits.
The Navy base may not be as well known as Area 51 but it is own conspiracy theories. Tales of mysterious sightings and sounds have plagued the lake since the navy began operations in 1942. Locals in the small fishing villages around the lake have reported strange happenings and many have claimed the presence of extra-terrestrial activity around the base. Is this the work of aliens, or the government researching advances in submarine technology? Until we see some proof we will respectfully side with the latter.