Luna Lake (Arizona) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Luna Lake |
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 Luna Lake
Location in Arizona
Luna Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Apache County, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 33°49′44.92″N 109°5′22.56″W / 33.8291444°N 109.0896000°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 75 acres (30 ha) |
| Average depth | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
| Surface elevation | 7,890 ft (2,400 m) |
Luna Lake is a beautiful natural lake located in Apache County, Arizona, USA. It covers about 75 acres (0.30 km2) of land. This lake is found about three miles (5 kilometres (3.1 mi)) southeast of Alpine, Arizona. It sits high up in the mountains, at an elevation of 7,890 ft (2,400 m). Luna Lake is the main feature of the Luna Lake Wildlife Area, a special place for nature.
This lake is part of the San Francisco River system. Water from Luna Lake flows east into New Mexico. From there, it travels south and then west, eventually joining the Gila River in Arizona.
Contents
Where is Luna Lake?
Luna Lake is located at an elevation of 7,890 feet (2,400 m) within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The facilities around the lake are managed by the forest service. You can find the lake about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Alpine. It's usually open all year round, but during the winter months, the lake freezes over.
What is Luna Lake Like?
Luna Lake is a 75-acre (300,000 m2) lake that was formed on the upper San Francisco River. It is not a very deep lake. Its deepest point is about 21 feet (6.4 m), and its average depth is around 8 feet (2.4 m).
Every year, the Arizona Game and Fish Department adds young Rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout to the lake. This helps keep the fish population healthy for anglers. Because the lake is shallow and has many nutrients, it can sometimes have issues with water quality and too much weed growth. To help with this, the Arizona Game and Fish Department regularly removes weeds from the lake.
Animals and Plants at Luna Lake
Luna Lake is home to many different kinds of animals and plants. It's a great place to see wildlife.
Birds
- Gray catbird: This bird is known for its cat-like calls.
- Southwestern willow flycatcher: A small bird that lives near water.
- Bald eagle: A large bird of prey and the national bird of the United States.
- Mexican spotted owl: A type of owl that lives in forests.
Mammals
- Myotis occultus: Also known as the Arizona myotis, this is a type of mouse-eared bat.
Amphibians
- Northern leopard frog: A common frog with spots.
- Chiricahua leopard frog: Another type of leopard frog, often found in the Southwest.
Plants
- Clover: Trifolium neurophyllum, also called "White Mountains clover."
- Gila groundsel: Senecio quaerens, a plant from the Senecio family.
Fish Species in Luna Lake
The main types of fish you can find in Luna Lake are:
