Kern Lake (Kern County) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kern Lake |
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 Kern Lake
Location in California
Kern Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Joaquin Valley Kern County, California |
| Coordinates | 35°07′20″N 119°03′22″W / 35.122188°N 119.056216°W |
| Lake type | Flat |
| Primary inflows | Kern River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 282 ft (86 m) |
Kern Lake, originally called Laguna de los Tulares, was a natural lake in California. It was the smallest of three large lakes in the Tulare Basin. This basin is found in the southwestern part of the San Joaquin Valley.
The Kern River was the main source of water for Kern Lake. Today, Kern Lake is a dry lake bed. This change happened because people started using the Kern River's water for farming. They also used water from underground sources, called the aquifer.
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What Was Kern Lake?
Kern Lake was an important part of California's natural landscape. It was one of the major lakes in the Tulare Basin. This basin is a large, flat area in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The lake was located in Kern County, California.
A Part of the Tulare Basin
The Tulare Basin once held several large lakes. These lakes were fed by rivers flowing down from the mountains. Kern Lake was the first lake that the Kern River reached. It played a role in the local environment for many years.
Why Did Kern Lake Disappear?
Kern Lake is now a dry lake bed. This means it no longer holds water. The main reason for its disappearance is human activity. People needed water for their farms and cities.
Water Diversion for Farming
Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley needed a lot of water. They started to divert, or redirect, the water from the Kern River. This water was used to irrigate crops. As more water was taken from the river, less water flowed into Kern Lake. Over time, the lake began to shrink.
Using Underground Water
Another reason for the lake's drying up was the use of the aquifer. An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or sand that holds water. People drilled wells to pump this underground water to the surface. This also reduced the amount of water that could naturally feed the lake.
What is a Dry Lake?
A dry lake, also known as a playa, is a basin that once held water. When the water dries up, it leaves behind a flat, often salty, surface. These areas can look like vast, empty plains.
The Future of Dry Lakes
Dry lakes like Kern Lake show how human actions can change natural environments. Understanding why lakes dry up helps us manage water resources better. It also helps us protect other important natural areas.
