Lake San Antonio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake San Antonio |
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 Lake San Antonio
Location in California
Lake San Antonio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, California |
| Coordinates | 35°51′01″N 120°58′05″W / 35.85038°N 120.96806°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | San Antonio River |
| Primary outflows | San Antonio River |
| Catchment area | 353 square miles (910 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 5,720 acres (2,310 ha) |
| Water volume | 350,000 acre-feet (430,000,000 m3) |
Lake San Antonio is a large lake located in California. Most of the lake is in southern Monterey County, California. A smaller part is in northern San Luis Obispo County, California.
This lake was created by building the San Antonio Dam across the San Antonio River. The dam is about 202 feet (62 meters) tall. It was finished in 1965. The Monterey County Water Authority owns and manages the lake and dam. The lake can hold a lot of water, about 350,000 acre-feet.
The main reason Lake San Antonio exists is to help store groundwater. Groundwater is water that seeps into the ground. Without the lake, the San Antonio River would often be dry in the summer. With water in the river all year, more water can soak into the earth. This helps keep the underground water supply healthy.
In recent years, the lake's water level has dropped a lot. This is due to droughts and other reasons. Because of the low water, some activities at the lake have changed. For example, in 2015, the county decided to close some camping areas. This was because fewer people were visiting due to the low water levels.
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Fun Activities at Lake San Antonio
Lake San Antonio is a great place for outdoor fun! Many people enjoy visiting, especially in the summer.
- Boating and Waterskiing: You can bring your own boat or rent one at the lake. It's a popular spot for waterskiing and other boat sports.
- Fishing: Fishing is a favorite activity here. If you catch fish, there are special guidelines about how much fish is safe to eat. These guidelines are based on studies of the fish in the lake.
- Horseback Riding and Mountain Biking: If you love trails, the south shore of Lake San Antonio has 26 miles of paths. These are perfect for horseback riding and mountain biking adventures.
Camping Adventures
Lake San Antonio offers many places to camp. There are over 500 campsites available.
- Many sites have hookups for RVs, which are like mobile homes.
- You can find campsites right on the north and south shores of the lake.
- There are also spots in the nearby forests, just a short walk from the water.
- The North Shore is special because it lets you camp right by the water's edge. Boaters love this because they can keep their boats in the water next to their campsite. This makes it a very popular choice for families and groups.
Amazing Wildlife
Lake San Antonio is home to many different animals. You might see some of them during your visit!
- Deer: Deer often come close to the campsites, sometimes even resting there during the day.
- Other Animals: Keep an eye out for other wildlife like mountain lions, snakes, wild pigs, raccoons, bobcats, and badgers.
- Eagles: Eagles are often seen around the lake. You can even take special tours to see them during certain months.
Bald Eagles: Winter Visitors
Lake San Antonio is a very important winter home for the bald eagle. This amazing bird is the national symbol of the United States.
- Every January and February, Monterey County Parks offers tours. These tours let visitors see bald eagles in their natural home.
- It's a good idea to book these tours early. They are very popular and often sell out weeks ahead of time!
Wildflower Triathlon Event
Lake San Antonio is famous for hosting the annual Wildflower Triathlon. This is one of the biggest triathlon events in the world.
- A triathlon is a race that includes swimming, biking, and running.
- The "Long Course" at Wildflower is a very tough race, sometimes called a half-Ironman. It challenges athletes with its long distances.
- Because of low water levels in some years, the swimming part of the race has had to move. Racers sometimes even run across parts of the old lake bed to get to their bikes!
