Mary Lake (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mary Lake |
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 Mary Lake
Location in California
Mary Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Shasta County, California |
| Coordinates | 40°34′30″N 122°25′58″W / 40.57500°N 122.43278°W |
| Primary inflows | Jenny Creek |
| Primary outflows | Jenny Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 722 ft (220 m) |
| Settlements | Redding, California |
Mary Lake is a small, man-made lake with freshwater in Redding, California. You can find it on the west side of Redding, close to the Mary Lake Subdivision, off Buenaventura Boulevard. Water flows into and out of Mary Lake through a stream called Jenny Creek. Jenny Creek eventually flows into the bigger Sacramento River. Before it was called Mary Lake, it was known as Falks Lake.
Taking Care of Mary Lake
In 2001, the City of Redding worked to improve Mary Lake. They lowered the water level and removed many dead trees. They also added tiny living things called microbes to the lake. These microbes help keep the water clean by naturally competing with algae (a type of plant-like growth). This helped make the lake look beautiful again, just like it used to.
Animals Living in the Lake
Mary Lake is home to different animals. In 2009, several beavers lived in the lake and Jenny Creek. Sadly, some of them died. It was later discovered that two river otters also live in the lake. Otters and beavers sometimes compete for space and resources in the lake. While beavers are strong, otters are known to be fierce hunters. It is thought that the otters might have been involved in the beavers' deaths.
