Cuddeback Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cuddeback Lake |
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 Cuddeback Lake
Location in California
Cuddeback Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mojave Desert San Bernardino County, California |
| Coordinates | 35°17′46″N 117°28′19″W / 35.2960°N 117.4720°W |
| Lake type | Endorheic basin |
| Primary outflows | Terminal |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Max. width | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Shore length1 | 25 km (16 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 778 m (2,552 ft) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Cuddeback Lake is a special kind of lake found in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. It's about 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Edwards Air Force Base. This lake is quite large, stretching about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) long and 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide at its widest point.
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What is a Dry Lake?
Cuddeback Lake is known as a "dry lake." This means that for most of the year, it doesn't have any water. Instead, it looks like a very flat, open plain made of dried mud and salt. Imagine a giant, smooth playground!
Why is it Dry?
Dry lakes are common in deserts like the Mojave. They form in areas where there isn't much rain. When it does rain, water might flow into these basins, but because the desert is so hot and dry, the water quickly evaporates. This leaves behind the flat, dry lakebed. Cuddeback Lake is also an Endorheic basin. This is a fancy way of saying that any water that flows into it stays there and doesn't flow out to rivers or oceans. It only leaves by evaporating into the air.
Location in the Mojave Desert
Cuddeback Lake is located in the Mojave Desert, a large, dry region in the southwestern United States. This desert is famous for its unique plants, like the Joshua tree, and its wide-open spaces. San Bernardino County, where the lake is, is one of the largest counties in California. It covers a huge part of the Mojave Desert.
Cuddeback Lake Air Force Gunnery Range
One of the most interesting things about Cuddeback Lake is that it's used by the United States Air Force. It's home to the Cuddeback Lake Air Force Gunnery Range.
What is a Gunnery Range?
A gunnery range is a special area where military pilots and other personnel can practice their skills. It's a safe place for them to train with different types of weapons, like those used on aircraft. They practice aiming and hitting targets on the ground. The flat, open space of Cuddeback Lake makes it a perfect spot for this kind of training. It helps the Air Force make sure its pilots are ready for their missions.
