Hughes Lake (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hughes Lake |
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 Hughes Lake
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Hughes Lake
Location in California
Hughes Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sierra Pelona Mountains, Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°40′33″N 118°26′44″W / 34.675818°N 118.445638°W |
| Type | Sag pond |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 3,192 ft (973 m) |
| Settlements | Lake Hughes |
Hughes Lake is a cool lake located in the northern Sierra Pelona Mountains in Los Angeles County, California. Before 1924, people called it West Elizabeth Lake. This lake sits right on top of the famous San Andreas Fault.
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Where is Hughes Lake?
Hughes Lake is found in the foothills of the Sierra Pelona Mountains. It's one of several lakes in this area, like Elizabeth Lake and Munz Lakes. These lakes are special because they are "sag ponds."
What is a Sag Pond?
A sag pond is a natural lake that forms in a dip or hollow along a fault line. Imagine two giant pieces of the Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, slowly sliding past each other. When they move, they can create low spots in the ground. If water fills these low spots, you get a sag pond! Hughes Lake was formed this way because of the movement of the San Andreas Fault.
Part of a Big River System
Hughes Lake and the other nearby lakes are all connected. They are part of the northern upper Santa Clara River watershed. A watershed is like a giant funnel. It's an area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into a common body of water, like a river, lake, or ocean. So, the water from Hughes Lake eventually makes its way into the Santa Clara River.
High Up in the Mountains
Hughes Lake is quite high up, sitting at about 973 meters (3,192 feet) above sea level. It's located inside the beautiful Angeles National Forest. This forest is a protected area with lots of trees and wildlife.
The Community of Lake Hughes
A small community called Lake Hughes grew up around the lake. People started settling in this area around 1873. It's an "unincorporated community," which means it's not officially a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it's managed by the county.
