Floras Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Floras Lake |
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Floras Lake, March 2017
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 Floras Lake
Location in Oregon
Floras Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Near Pacific Ocean coast in Curry County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 42°53′41″N 124°30′18″W / 42.89472°N 124.50500°W |
| Lake type | Natural, mesotrophic |
| Primary inflows | Four unnamed tributaries |
| Primary outflows | New River (Floras Creek) |
| Catchment area | 10 sq mi (26 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 236 acres (96 ha) |
| Average depth | 18 ft (5 m) |
| Max. depth | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Water volume | 4,300 acre⋅ft (5.3 hm3) |
| Residence time | Two months |
| Shore length1 | 5.2 mi (8.4 km) |
| Surface elevation | 10 feet (3 m) |
| Settlements | Port Orford (10 miles (16 km) to the south |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Floras Lake is a beautiful natural lake on the southern Oregon Coast in the United States. It's about 236-acre (96 ha) big. The lake gets its water from four small streams. It is located in Curry County.
Floras Lake is about 10 miles (16 km) north of Port Orford. It is also about 2 miles (3 km) west of U.S. Route 101. The lake was likely named after Fred Flora. He was a settler and miner who lived in the area in the 1800s.
The lake sits about 10 feet (3 m) above sea level. Its water flows north into Floras Creek. This creek then joins with other streams to form the New River. The New River flows north behind a sand dune. Finally, it turns west and empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Contents
Visiting Floras Lake
Floras Lake is a bit off the beaten path, making it a quiet spot. You can reach the lake and the 1,371-acre (555 ha) Floras Lake State Natural Area by walking. There's a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail that starts at Cape Blanco Airport.
Most people drive to the lake. You can take Floras Lake Road off U.S. Route 101. This road leads to Boice–Cope County Park. The park is at the northeastern corner of the lake.
Parks and Natural Areas Nearby
The area around Floras Lake is full of parks and wildlife spots. These include state, federal, and county parks. They are located between Bandon to the north and Cape Blanco to the south.
One important area is the New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The Bureau of Land Management looks after this area. It is north of the lake and west of the county park. Boice–Cope County Park has campsites and places for day visits. It also gives you access to the New River ACEC and Floras Lake.
Fun Activities at Floras Lake
Floras Lake is a great place for outdoor fun. There are many activities for visitors to enjoy.
Windsurfing and Boating
Sailboarding is very popular at Floras Lake. It's especially good for beginners. The lake's calm environment and steady winds make it perfect for learning.
Boice–Cope County Park has a boat ramp. This is handy for sport fishing on the lake. You can also launch canoes and kayaks here.
Fishing Adventures
Floras Lake is stocked with rainbow trout. It also has a small number of largemouth bass. These fish make it a fun spot for fishing.
The lake is also part of a route for Chinook salmon. These large, seagoing fish pass through the lake's feeder streams. They travel to and from the ocean.
Hiking and Trails
The Floras Lake Trail is one of four trails in the New River ACEC. This trail connects the county park to the Floras Lake State Natural Area. It is about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long. The trail runs between the lake and the sand dune on the west side.
The beach west of the sand dune is part of a 22-mile (35 km) stretch of sand. This stretch is between Bandon and Cape Blanco. The Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation calls it part of the Oregon Coast Trail.
Paddling Downstream
Canoers and kayakers can start their trip at Floras Lake. They can float down the lake's outlet and then down the New River. There are places to take out your boat. One is at the ACEC's Storm Ranch, about 8 miles (13 km) downstream. Another is at Lower Fourmile Road, which is one mile further.
