Lake Palmdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Palmdale |
|
|---|---|
Lake Palmdale with the California Aqueduct in the foreground.
|
|
 Lake Palmdale
Location in California
Lake Palmdale
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Antelope Valley Los Angeles County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°33′05″N 118°07′16″W / 34.551389°N 118.121111°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | California Aqueduct |
| Primary outflows | Una Lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 1.69 km (1.05 mi) |
| Max. width | .87 km (0.54 mi) |
| Surface area | 237.3 ha (586 acres) |
| Shore length1 | 5.29 km (3.29 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 860 m (2,820 ft) |
| Islands | 2 |
| Settlements | Palmdale, California |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Palmdale is a man-made lake in Palmdale, California. It was finished in 1924. This lake gets its water from the California State Water Project. Water flows into it from the California Aqueduct. Lake Palmdale is located near the southern edge of Palmdale. It sits in the small Anaverde Valley. This valley is found between the San Andreas Fault and the base of Mount Tenhi.
Contents
History of Lake Palmdale
Why Lake Palmdale Was Built
Lake Palmdale was once called Harold Reservoir. It was completed in 1924. This was done to help farmers in the Antelope Valley. The lake gave them a steady supply of water. At that time, farming was the main way people made money in Palmdale.
Water Needs in the Desert
The Antelope Valley is part of the Mojave Desert. The San Gabriel Mountains block rain from reaching the valley. This creates a "rain shadow" effect. Because of this, a reliable water source was very important.
Lake Palmdale Today
Today, Lake Palmdale is the main water source for the Palmdale Water District. This is the public water company for the city. It provides water for over 200,000 people. The lake is also used to create electricity.
Geography of Lake Palmdale
Lake Palmdale's Location and Size
Lake Palmdale is about 2,818 feet (859 meters) above sea level. Hills from the San Andreas Fault and Mount Tenhi surround it. On the east side of the lake, there is a small pond called Una Lake. A dam (dike) called Palmdale Dam and Sierra Highway separate the two.
The lake is about 1.05 miles (1.69 kilometers) long. Its widest point is about 0.50 miles (0.80 kilometers). The lake's edge is about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) around. Its surface covers about 260 acres (105 hectares). There is also a narrow island at the southeast end. This island is about 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) long.
Fun Activities at Lake Palmdale
Fishing and Boating
Lake Palmdale is regularly stocked with fish. It has a small dock that goes about 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) into the lake. Members of the Palmdale Fin & Feather Club can use this dock. They can fish from it or take a small boat onto the lake. There are also other small docks along the southwestern side of the lake. These are also for the Fin & Feather Club members.
Public Access to Water Activities
Generally, only members of the Palmdale Fin & Feather Club can use Lake Palmdale for fun. However, there are other nearby places for public enjoyment. The nearby Little Rock Reservoir is a park run by Los Angeles County. It is open to everyone. You can go boating, water skiing, fishing, and camping there. The California Aqueduct is also open for fishing. You just need a valid fishing license from the California Department of Fish and Game.
Weather at Lake Palmdale
Seasonal Climate
Lake Palmdale has very hot and dry summers. Spring and autumn are usually breezy. Winters are cold and very windy.
Water Levels and Rain
Most of the rain falls between October and May. However, the lake does not rely on local rain to stay full. Its water level is kept up by the California Aqueduct. This aqueduct collects and moves rainwater and melted snow from the mountains in Northern California.
Winter Winds and Freezing
The way the local hills and the fault are shaped creates a "wind tunnel" effect. This happens especially during the winter. Even though the lake is high up and winter temperatures often drop below freezing (32°F or 0°C), the lake has never frozen over completely in its history.
