Broadwell Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Broadwell Lake |
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| Broadwell Dry Lake | |
 Broadwell Lake
Location in California
Broadwell Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mojave Desert San Bernardino County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°50′39″N 116°11′11″W / 34.8441°N 116.1864°W |
| Lake type | Endorheic basin |
| Primary outflows | Terminal (evaporation) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Shore length1 | 17 km (11 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 401 m (1,316 ft) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Broadwell Lake, also known as Broadwell Dry Lake, is a fascinating place in the Mojave Desert. It is located in San Bernardino County, California. This dry lake bed is about 75 kilometers (47 miles) east of Barstow.
Broadwell Lake is surrounded by two mountain ranges. The Cady Mountains are on one side, and the Bristol Mountains are on the other. The lake itself is quite large, stretching about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) long. At its widest point, it measures around 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) across.
What is a Dry Lake?
A dry lake is a basin or depression that once held water. Over time, the water either evaporated or drained away. This leaves behind a flat, dry surface. Broadwell Lake is a perfect example of this. It is an Endorheic basin, which means it's a closed system. Water flows into it but doesn't flow out to other rivers or oceans. Instead, any water that reaches the lake simply evaporates.
Solar Power Plans
Years ago, a company called BrightSource Energy Inc. thought about building a special power plant near Broadwell Lake. This plant would have used concentrated solar power. This technology uses mirrors to focus sunlight. The focused sunlight then creates heat, which can be used to make electricity. However, the company decided not to go ahead with their plans in 2009.
A Protected Wilderness Area
The eastern side of Broadwell Lake is a very special place. It is part of a Federally designated Wilderness Area. This means it is protected by the government. It falls under the care of the Bureau of Land Management. This specific area is part of the Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area. Wilderness areas are important because they protect natural landscapes and wildlife. They allow people to enjoy nature in its untouched form.
