Lake Ralphine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Ralphine |
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![]() waterfowl on Lake Ralphine, 2010
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Location | Sonoma County, California |
Coordinates | 38°27′18″N 122°40′01″W / 38.455°N 122.667°W |
Type | reservoir |
Primary outflows | a tributary of Santa Rosa Creek |
Catchment area | 0.15 sq mi (0.39 km2) |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 19 acres (7.7 ha) |
Water volume | 387 acre⋅ft (477,000 m3) |
Surface elevation | 256 ft (78 m) |
Settlements | Santa Rosa |
Lake Ralphine is a beautiful lake located inside Howarth Memorial Park in Santa Rosa, California. It's actually a reservoir, which means it's a special lake built to store water. This lovely spot is a popular place for outdoor fun and relaxation in the city.
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Fishing Fun at Lake Ralphine
Lake Ralphine is a great spot for fishing! The California Department of Fish and Wildlife adds trout to the lake every year. These fish are big enough to catch, making it exciting for anglers. Besides trout, you can also find other types of fish here. These include bass, bluegill, and catfish. So, grab your fishing rod and see what you can catch!
The History of Lake Ralphine
Lake Ralphine has a long and interesting history. It was created by building an earthen dam way back in 1882. An earthen dam is a large wall made of soil and rocks. It holds back water to form a lake or reservoir. This dam was built by a person named Colonel Mark Lindsay McDonald. He named the lake after his wife, Ralphine. Many years later, in 1947, the City of Santa Rosa bought the lake.
Exploring Lake Ralphine
Lake Ralphine is surrounded by fun trails perfect for exploring. These trails are called Eagle Scout Trail and Old Fisherman's Trail. They connect directly to the Howarth Park parking lot. You can find the parking lot off Summerfield Road. It's important to know that horses and motorized vehicles are not allowed on these trails. This helps keep the trails safe and peaceful for everyone.
Boating on the Lake
If you love being on the water, Lake Ralphine has options for you! During certain times of the year, you can rent different types of boats. These include kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, rowboats, and even sailboats. If you have your own boat, there's also a special ramp. This ramp makes it easy to launch your private boat onto the lake.