Danby Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Danby Lake |
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 Danby Lake
Location in California
Danby Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mojave Desert San Bernardino County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°14′23″N 115°08′53″W / 34.2397°N 115.1480°W |
| Lake type | Endorheic basin |
| Primary outflows | Terminal (evaporation) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Shore length1 | 50 km (31 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 192 m (630 ft) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Danby Lake, also known as Danby Dry Lake, is a unique natural feature found in the Mojave Desert. This area is located in San Bernardino County, California. It is about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of the city of Blythe.
A "dry lake bed" means it's a flat, open area that was once covered by water. Today, it is mostly dry. These dry lakes are common in desert regions.
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What is Danby Lake?
Danby Lake is a type of dry lake bed. This means it is a basin where water collects but does not flow out to a river or ocean. Instead, any water that enters the lake simply evaporates. This process leaves behind a flat, often salty, surface.
Where is Danby Lake Located?
Danby Lake is found in the vast Mojave Desert. This desert covers parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The lake itself is within San Bernardino County, California. This county is one of the largest in the United States.
How Big is Danby Lake?
Danby Lake is quite large for a dry lake. It stretches for about 9 miles (15 km) in length. At its widest point, it measures around 2.5 miles (4 km) across. The lake bed sits at an elevation of about 630 feet (192 meters) above sea level.
Why is it a "Dry Lake"?
Danby Lake is an Endorheic basin. This is a fancy term for a closed basin. Water flows into it, but it has no natural outflow. The only way water leaves the lake is through evaporation. This happens when the sun's heat turns the water into vapor. Because the Mojave Desert is very hot and dry, any water that collects here quickly evaporates. This is why it remains a dry lake for most of the year.
