Lake Salvador facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Salvador |
|
|---|---|
 Lake Salvador
Location in Louisiana
|
|
| Location | Jefferson / Lafourche / St. Charles parishes, Louisiana, US |
| Coordinates | 29°43′26″N 90°14′46″W / 29.7238°N 90.2462°W |
| Type | Estuary |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 26 km (16 mi) |
| Max. width | 19 km (12 mi) |
| Surface area | 18,100 ha (44,800 acres) |
| Average depth | 1.8 m (6 ft) |
Lake Salvador (which is called Lac Salvador in French) is a large lake in Louisiana, USA. It covers about 44,800 acres, which is like 44,800 football fields! This lake is located about 12 miles southwest of New Orleans. It stretches across three different areas called parishes: Jefferson, Lafourche, and St. Charles.
Contents
About Lake Salvador
Lake Salvador is a shallow lake, meaning it's not very deep. Its average depth is about 6 feet, which is roughly the height of a tall adult. The lake is mostly at sea level. It measures about 16 miles long and 12 miles wide.
Water Flow
The lake gets its water from Bayou Des Allemands. From Lake Salvador, the water then flows out towards the Gulf of Mexico. This connection to the Gulf means the lake's water can be a mix of fresh and saltwater, making it an estuary.
Surrounding Environment
Lake Salvador is surrounded by swamp areas. These swamps are important habitats for many different kinds of animals. The lake and its surroundings are home to a variety of fish and other wildlife.
History of the Lake's Name
Lake Salvador has been known by several different names throughout history. Maps from long ago show how its name changed over time.
- In 1732, an old map by d'Anville called the lake Lac des Ounchas.
- Later, in 1816, the Darby map listed the lake as Ouacha Lake.
- Finally, on the Cram map from 1916, the lake was shown with two names: Lake Ouache and Salvador. This shows how the name Salvador eventually became the most common one.
Wildlife in Lake Salvador
Lake Salvador is a great place for many types of fish to live. The swampy areas around the lake provide a safe home and plenty of food for them.
Fish Species
You can find several kinds of fish in Lake Salvador. Some of the common fish that live here include:
Bull Sharks in the Lake
Sometimes, surprising animals can be found in Lake Salvador. Young bull sharks are known to prefer water that is not too salty, like the brackish water found in estuaries. In 2015, a bull shark was found in Lake Salvador.
A biologist from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries explained that bull sharks are known to be one of the more active shark species worldwide. While finding a shark in the lake isn't an everyday event, it's also not completely unheard of, according to biologist manager Shane Granier.
