Lake Lagunitas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Lagunitas |
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![]() The lake in 2009
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Location | Marin County, California |
Coordinates | 37°56′51″N 122°35′46″W / 37.94750°N 122.59611°W |
Type | reservoir |
Primary inflows | Lagunitas Creek |
Primary outflows | Lagunitas Creek |
Catchment area | 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 22 acres (8.9 ha) |
Water volume | 341 acre-feet (421,000 m3) |
Surface elevation | 791.3 feet (241.2 m) |
Lake Lagunitas is a beautiful reservoir located in Marin County, California. A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake where water is stored. This water is then used by people in nearby towns. Lake Lagunitas gets its water from Lagunitas Creek.
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Understanding Lake Lagunitas and Its Role
Lake Lagunitas is an important part of the water supply for many homes in Marin County. It is one of seven special lakes that provide clean, drinkable water to the Marin Municipal Water District. This district makes sure people have enough water for their daily needs.
Lake Lagunitas: Oldest and Smallest
Lake Lagunitas holds a special place among these seven lakes. It is the oldest and also the smallest lake in the Mount Tamalpais watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common point, like a lake or river. Lake Lagunitas covers about 22 acres of land.
Neighboring Lakes in the Watershed
Lake Lagunitas is surrounded by other important reservoirs. About one mile to the east, you'll find Phoenix Lake. It is slightly larger, covering about 25 acres. Just 0.3 miles west of Lake Lagunitas is Bon Tempe Lake, which is much bigger at 280 acres.
Further west from Bon Tempe Lake is Alpine Lake. This lake has an area of 224 acres. The largest lake in this entire water system is Kent Lake. It is located west of Fairfax-Bolinas Road and spans an impressive 432 acres.
Lagunitas Dam: Holding Back the Water
The water in Lake Lagunitas is held back by a structure called the Lagunitas Dam. A dam is a strong barrier built across a river or stream to hold back water and create a reservoir. This dam is made of earth.
Key Facts About Lagunitas Dam
The Lagunitas Dam stands about 48 feet tall. It stretches for 433 feet in length and is 12 feet wide. This important dam was finished way back in 1872. It has been helping to store water for the community for a very long time.