Lake Mendocino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Mendocino |
|
|---|---|
Lake Mendocino from its northern shore
|
|
 Lake Mendocino
Location in California
Lake Mendocino
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Mendocino County, California |
| Coordinates | 39°12′N 123°11′W / 39.200°N 123.183°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | East Fork Russian River |
| Primary outflows | East Fork Russian River |
| Catchment area | 105 sq mi (270 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,922 acres (7.78 km2) |
| Max. depth | 133 ft (41 m) |
| Water volume | 122,400 acre⋅ft (0.1510 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 737.5 ft (224.8 m) |
Lake Mendocino is a large reservoir (a human-made lake) located in Mendocino County, California. It is found northeast of the city of Ukiah. This lake covers about 1,922 acres, which is like having over 1,400 football fields filled with water!
Lake Mendocino was created in 1958 when the Coyote Valley Dam was built. The lake and dam are very important for many reasons. They help control floods, save water for people to use, and even create electricity. Plus, it's a great place for fun outdoor activities. The dam also has a special room that was built during the Cold War to protect people from radiation in case of a nuclear attack. Every year on New Year's Day, the city celebrates with a fun event called the "Dam Dog Walk."
Contents
Fun Activities at Lake Mendocino
Lake Mendocino is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They make sure the lake is safe and fun for everyone. There are lots of cool things to do here!
Outdoor Adventures
You can enjoy many different sports and activities at the lake. These include:
- Playing disc golf
- Going boating
- Trying out water skiing
- Enjoying fishing
- Spending time camping
- Exploring the area by hiking
Camping and Boating
If you love camping, Lake Mendocino has over 300 campsites. Some special sites can only be reached by boat! The names of three camping areas are in the Pomo language. This is the language of the local native people.
There are two places to launch boats, one at the north end and one at the south end of the lake. Water sports are allowed, so you can have a blast on the water. The lake also has many spots for day trips and picnics. Several hiking trails run along the lake, offering beautiful views.
Safe Fishing Tips
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has some advice for eating fish from Lake Mendocino. This advice helps you know how much fish is safe to eat. It is based on small amounts of mercury found in some fish. You can find more details on their website if you want to learn more.
Coyote Dam: The Lake's Creator
The Coyote Dam, also known as Coyote Valley Dam, is a huge structure that created Lake Mendocino. It's an earthen dam, meaning it's made mostly of earth and rock.
Dam's Size and Purpose
The dam is about 164 feet high, 3,532 feet long, and 20 feet wide. It was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The dam was finished in 1959. It sits across the East Fork of the Russian River, which is the main source of water flowing into the lake.
The main jobs of the dam are:
- To stop floods in the Ukiah valley.
- To provide a water supply for Sonoma County.
- To generate hydroelectric power for nearby cities.
Historical Feature: Fallout Shelter
During the Cold War, a time of tension between countries, a special fallout shelter was built inside the dam. This shelter was meant to protect people from radiation in case of a nuclear attack. You can still see a radioactive symbol there today. The dam also has a hydroelectric power plant that helps provide energy.
The Old Coyote Valley
Before the dam was built, there was an old valley called Coyote Valley. When the dam was constructed, the Army Corps had to move the people who lived in the valley. They also had to move a part of State Route 20. This was because the valley and the road would be covered by water once the lake filled up.
