Lake Success (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Success |
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Looking north in an aerial view of Success Dam, located near Porterville
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 Lake Success
Location in California
Lake Success
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tulare County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°04′N 118°55′W / 36.06°N 118.92°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Tule River |
| Primary outflows | Tule River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 4 mi (6.4 km) |
| Max. width | 2 mi (3.2 km) |
| Surface area | 2,450 acres (990 ha) |
| Average depth | 645 ft (197 m) |
| Max. depth | 653 ft (199 m) |
| Water volume | 82,000 acre⋅ft (101,000,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 30 mi (48 km) |
| Surface elevation | 640 ft (200 m) |
| Islands | Boat Island |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
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Lake Success is a beautiful lake located near Porterville, California. It was created by the Success Dam on the Tule River. This lake is important for controlling floods, providing water for farms (called irrigation), and offering a fun place for people to relax and play. The dam was finished in 1961 and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. You can even drive across a bridge on California State Route 190 that goes over the lake!
Contents
History of Lake Success
When Lake Success was being built, some important changes had to happen. An entire cemetery, called the Wilcox cemetery, needed to be moved. All the graves were carefully relocated to the Home of Peace Cemetery in Porterville. Some of these burials dated back to 1859!
The construction of the dam also meant that some local parks and beaches, like Bartlett Park and Porterville Beach, were covered by the new lake. Many families also had to move their homes.
In 1999, there was a concern that Success Dam might not be strong enough to handle an earthquake. Because of this, the lake's water level was lowered a lot in 2004. This made it harder for people to enjoy water activities. However, later studies showed that the dam was actually safe. Since then, the lake has been refilled, and people are once again enjoying all its activities.
Amazing Wildlife at the Lake
Lake Success is a fantastic place to see many different animals, especially birds! A special area of 1,499 acres along the northwest shore is protected as a wildlife refuge. It's known as one of the best spots in Tulare County for bird-watching.
You can often spot large American pelicans and Canada geese swimming on the lake. Closer to the shore, you might see mallard ducks, grebes, and coots. High above, majestic bald eagles soar through the sky. Many migratory shorebirds also visit, wading in the shallow waters.
The wet areas along the shoreline are home to herons, egrets, and kingfishers. If you explore the surrounding grasslands and small ponds, you might see black-tailed deer, California quail, cottontail rabbits, and jackrabbits. There are trails that make it easy for hikers to explore this wonderful wildlife area.
Lake Success in Stories
Lake Success has even appeared in a science fiction novel! In the book Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, a comet hits Earth. This causes huge tidal waves and floods. In the story, the collapse of Success Dam is witnessed by some of the characters. After the disaster, a new community forms nearby.
Fun Activities at Lake Success
Lake Success is a popular spot for many outdoor activities, especially on the water!
Boating and Water Sports
Boating is a favorite activity here. All kinds of boats are allowed, so on warm summer weekends, the lake is full of excitement. You'll see water skiers, jet-skiers, powerboats, and sailboats. People also enjoy quieter activities like fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks.
To keep everyone safe, there's a speed limit of 5 miles per hour from dusk until dawn. During these hours, water skiing and jet-skiing are not allowed. The many calm coves along the lake's shoreline are perfect for canoeing and kayaking.
Fishing at the Lake
Lake Success is considered one of the best lakes in the area for catching largemouth bass. Fishing tournaments are often held here. While the bass might not always be huge, there are lots of them! You can also catch bluegills, crappies, channel catfish, and sometimes even trout.
Campgrounds and Parks
If you want to stay overnight, Rocky Hill Campground offers campsites without electricity. It also has another boat launch ramp and a nice picnic area. For day visits, Bartlett Park has picnic shelters and a playground. All these spots offer great views of the lake with the Sierra Nevada foothills in the background. While there aren't official swimming beaches, you can find informal swim areas nearby.
Success Lake Marina
The Success Lake Marina is a great place to get everything you need for a fun day on the water. It's open all year, but it's especially popular during the hot summer months.
The marina has grown over the years. You can rent private docks for your own boat, or even rent a slip for a weekend. The store at the marina sells cold drinks, snacks, ice, and even fishing supplies like bait and tackle.
If you don't have your own boat, no problem! The marina offers many rentals, including:
- Patio boats that can hold 10 to 20 people.
- Larger patio boats with slides for extra fun!
- Fishing boats.
- Kayaks.
- SUPs (stand-up paddleboards).
- Water bikes.
This makes it easy for everyone to get out and enjoy the beautiful waters of Lake Success!
