Lake Tuendae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Tuendae |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Lake Tuendae
Location in California
Lake Tuendae
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Zzyzx San Bernardino County, California |
| Coordinates | 35°08′36″N 116°06′14″W / 35.1432°N 116.1040°W |
| Type | Artificial pond |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 140 m (460 ft) |
| Max. width | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Surface area | 5,600 m2 (60,000 sq ft) |
| Shore length1 | 360 m (1,180 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 289 m (948 ft) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Tuendae is a special, man-made pond located in a place called Zzyzx, California. It's part of the Desert Studies Center, which is a research station in the middle of the Mojave Desert. This pond is home to some interesting animals, including birds called mudhens and a very rare fish known as the Mohave tui chub.
Contents
What is Lake Tuendae?
Lake Tuendae isn't a natural lake. It was created by people. It's about 140 meters (459 feet) long and 40 meters (131 feet) wide. That's roughly the size of a small football field! Even though it's man-made, it plays a really important role for the wildlife that lives there.
Where is Lake Tuendae?
This unique pond is found in San Bernardino County, California, within the Mojave Desert. The area around it, Zzyzx, is known for its desert environment and the Desert Studies Center, where scientists and students come to learn about the desert.
Animals Living in Lake Tuendae
Lake Tuendae is a vital habitat, especially for two main types of animals: the American coot and the Mohave tui chub.
American Coots
American coots are common water birds that look a bit like ducks, but they are actually part of the rail family. They are sometimes called "mudhens." You can often see them swimming on the water or walking on the shore, looking for food. They have a distinctive white beak and a small white patch under their tail.
The Mohave Tui Chub
The Mohave tui chub is a very special and endangered fish. This means there are very few of them left in the world, and they are at risk of disappearing forever. Lake Tuendae is one of the few places where these rare fish can still survive and thrive.
Why is the Mohave Tui Chub Endangered?
The Mohave tui chub used to live in many natural springs and streams in the Mojave Desert. However, over time, their homes were changed or destroyed by human activities. Things like water being taken for farms or towns, and new fish being introduced to their habitats, caused their numbers to drop dramatically.
Protecting the Mohave Tui Chub
Because the Mohave tui chub is so rare, scientists and conservationists work hard to protect them. Lake Tuendae acts as a safe haven for these fish. By keeping the lake healthy and free from threats, people are helping to ensure that this unique species doesn't go extinct. It's a great example of how even a small, man-made pond can be incredibly important for saving wildlife.
