Meiss Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meiss Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Meiss Lake
Location in California
Meiss Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Butte Valley, Eastern Siskiyou County, California |
| Coordinates | 41°51′37″N 122°03′29″W / 41.860292°N 122.058020°W |
| Type | Endorheic Lake |
| Primary inflows | Prather Creek, Ikes Creek, Musgrave Creek,Butte Creek (historically) |
| Primary outflows | evaporation, seepage to aquifer |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 4236 feet (1291 meters), |
| Settlements | near Dorris, Macdoel |
Meiss Lake is a special place in California. It's a shallow, warm lake located in eastern Siskiyou County. This lake is about 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) big. That's like 2,270 football fields! It's a leftover from a much bigger lake. This bigger lake covered the whole valley long ago. Back then, the weather was cooler.
Contents
All About Meiss Lake
Meiss Lake is found in the western part of Butte Valley. It gets its water from several creeks. These creeks flow into the lake mostly during certain seasons.
Where is Meiss Lake?
Meiss Lake is located in the Butte Valley. This area is in the eastern part of Siskiyou County, California. It's near the towns of Dorris and Macdoel. The lake sits at an elevation of 4,236 feet (1,291 meters).
How Meiss Lake Works
Meiss Lake is an endorheic lake. This means its water doesn't flow out to the ocean. Instead, water leaves the lake mostly by evaporation. It also seeps into the ground. In the past, the lake was part of a larger system. It might have flowed into Rock Creek. Then, that water would have reached the Klamath River.
Managing Water Levels
In 1964, there were big floods. A special pumping station was put in place. This station helps move floodwaters into Rock Creek. This protects nearby farms and important wetlands. These wetlands are home to many animals.
Protecting Wildlife at Meiss Lake
Meiss Lake is completely inside the Butte Valley Wildlife Area. This area is managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. The historic Meiss Ranch is also part of this wildlife area. This means the lake and its surroundings are protected. They provide a safe home for many different kinds of wildlife.
