Coyote Lake (Santa Clara County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coyote Lake |
|
|---|---|
Aerial view, May 2014
|
|
 Coyote Lake
Location in California
Coyote Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Santa Clara County, California |
| Coordinates | 37°05′39″N 121°32′13″W / 37.09417°N 121.53694°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Coyote Creek |
| Primary outflows | Coyote Creek |
| Catchment area | 119.8 sq mi (310 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | Santa Clara Valley Water District |
| Max. length | 3.5 mi (6 km) |
| Max. width | 0.5 mi (0.8 km) |
| Surface area | 635 acres (2.6 km2) |
| Water volume | 23,666 acre⋅ft (29,192,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 774 feet (236 m) |
Coyote Lake, also called Coyote Reservoir, is an artificial lake in Santa Clara County, California. It is located between the cities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy. As a reservoir, its main job is to store water for the area.
Contents
Building Coyote Lake
Coyote Lake was created by building a large structure called Coyote Dam. This dam is made of earth and rock. It was finished in 1936.
Dam Size and Purpose
The dam is about 140-foot (43 m) tall. It stretches 980-foot (300 m) across the land. When the lake is completely full, it can hold over 23,000 acre-feet of water. This makes it the second largest reservoir managed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The water district helps make sure there is enough water for people in the area.
Fun at Coyote Lake Park
A big park called "Coyote-Bear" surrounds Coyote Lake. This park covers 4,595 acres. It offers many fun things to do for families and friends.
Park Activities
You can enjoy different activities at the park:
- Camping: Both RVs and tents are welcome.
- Fishing: You can fish here, but it's often "catch-and-release". This means you let the fish go after you catch them.
- Picnicking: There are great spots for outdoor meals.
- Hiking: Many trails let you explore the beautiful nature around the lake.
Water Sports on the Lake
While swimming is not allowed in Coyote Lake (by order of the Santa Clara Valley Water District), many other water sports are permitted:
- Power boating
- Jetskiing
- Waterskiing
- Sailing
- Canoeing and kayaking
Boat Launch Area
There is a special area to launch boats. It is about two miles north of the visitor center. This area has two docks and a three-lane concrete ramp. There is also paved parking and a restroom for visitors.
Fish in the Lake
If you like fishing, Coyote Lake has several types of fish:
- Bluegill
- Black crappie
- Channel catfish
- Carp
- Black bass
Boating Season
It's important to know that the lake is closed for all boating activities for part of the year. This closure usually happens between mid-October and mid-April.
Fish Eating Advisory
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has given advice about eating fish from Coyote Lake. They suggest being careful because some fish might have higher levels of a natural element called mercury. It's a good idea to check their website for the latest safe eating guidelines for fish from this lake.
