Banks Lake is a large reservoir created as part of the Columbia Basin irrigation project. It occupies the upper portion of Grand Coulee, a great gash in the earth created by ice age flooding. The lake is surrounded by tall basalt cliffs and the Steamboat Rock monolith rises in the northeast corner. The best paddling on the lake is near Steamboat Rock, which is protected by a state park with ample facilities. The northeast section of the lake offers cliffs, narrows, islands and lots of coves sheltered from the frequent winds. The rest of the lake offers lots more paddling, but camping is limited and winds and waves occasionally fierce in the unprotected main lake.