Bass Lake (Madera County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bass Lake |
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 Bass Lake
Location in California
Bass Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sierra National Forest Madera County, California |
| Coordinates | 37°17′27″N 119°31′30″W / 37.29077°N 119.52513°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Willow Creek |
| Primary outflows | Willow Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 6.7 km (4.2 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.64 km (0.40 mi) |
| Surface area | 472 ha (1,170 acres) |
| Max. depth | 30 m (98 ft) |
| Water volume | 56,100 dam3 (45,500 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,027 m (3,369 ft) |
| Settlements | Bass Lake, California |
Bass Lake is a beautiful lake located in the Sierra National Forest in Madera County, California. It is about 14 miles (22.5 km) south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park. The lake is approximately four miles (6.4 km) long and half a mile (0.8 km) wide.
Bass Lake was created by building the Crane Valley Dam across Willow Creek. Willow Creek is a smaller stream that flows into the San Joaquin River. Because of the dam, the lake is sometimes called Crane Valley Lake. The dam helps create electricity for homes and businesses. This is done using a hydro-electric power plant run by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The dam is 145 feet (44 meters) tall and was finished in 1910.
Most of the land around Bass Lake is part of the Sierra National Forest. The United States Forest Service has made the lake an official Recreation Area. They have built campgrounds and picnic spots on the south side of the lake. The north side of the lake has many private cabins and homes. These belong to the small community of Bass Lake, California, which has about 2,195 people living there all year.
Fun Things to Do at Bass Lake
Bass Lake is a very popular place for tourists. It is close to Yosemite National Park, which makes it a great stop for visitors. In the summer, the lake water usually gets warm, around 80°F (27°C). This makes it perfect for many water activities.
People love to go fishing in Bass Lake. You can also enjoy swimming in its clear waters. Other popular activities include water skiing and riding personal watercraft. There are many ways to have fun on and around the lake.
