Paradise Lake (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paradise Lake |
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 Paradise Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Paradise Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | King County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°46′25″N 122°04′06″W / 47.7735290°N 122.0683272°W |
| Catchment area | 2,419 acres (979 ha) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 18 acres (7.3 ha) |
| Average depth | 17 ft (5.2 m) |
| Max. depth | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
| Surface elevation | 259 ft (79 m) |
Paradise Lake is a small freshwater lake in the northern part of King County, Washington, USA. It is located about two miles east of the town of Woodinville. This lake does not have a public boat launch, so it's not easy to put boats in the water. Water from Paradise Lake flows into Bear Creek, which then travels to the Sammamish River near Redmond.
About Paradise Lake
Paradise Lake is a beautiful natural area. It covers about 18 acres (7.3 hectares) and is fairly shallow. The deepest part of the lake is about 28 feet (8.5 meters) deep. The lake is surrounded by a large area of land that collects rainwater, known as its catchment basin. This basin is about 2,419 acres (979 hectares) in size.
Fish and Other Wildlife
Paradise Lake is home to many different types of fish. If you like fishing, you might find cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and even sockeye salmon. Other fish living here include rock bass, pumpkinseed, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch. Remember, you need a fishing license to fish in the lake.
The lake also has a large number of bullfrogs. Long ago, these non-native bullfrogs were raised in the lake for restaurants. Because of this, many bullfrogs still live there today.
A very special and rare type of mollusk also lives in Paradise Lake. This tiny creature is called Valvata mergella. Scientists have been studying these rare mollusks in the lake since the 1940s.
Water Quality and Health
Scientists often check the water quality of lakes to make sure they are healthy. In 2003, the water in Paradise Lake was described as eutrophic. This means the lake has a lot of nutrients, which can sometimes lead to too much plant growth.
Volunteers helped monitor the lake's water from 1996 to 2008. They found that the water temperature changes throughout the year, from about 4°C (39°F) in winter to 22°C (72°F) in summer. During the warmer months, the lake's water layers stay separate, with warmer water on top and cooler water below.
Scientists also noticed that the amount of algae in the lake would increase a lot twice a year. These algae blooms mostly happened in late May and late September. The main types of algae found were Dinobryon and other chrysophytes. They also found other tiny plant-like organisms, including different cryptophyte species and a type of diatom called Asterionella formosa. The studies also showed that there was much more phosphorus, a type of nutrient, deep in the lake's sediments.
