Pine Lake (San Francisco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pine Lake |
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Pine Lake in 2010
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 Pine Lake
Location in California
Pine Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pine Lake Park, San Francisco, California |
| Coordinates | 37°44′10″N 122°29′20″W / 37.7361888°N 122.4888264°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
Pine Lake, also known as Laguna Puerca or Pig Lake, is a cool freshwater lake. You can find it in Pine Lake Park, right in the southwest part of San Francisco, California. This lake gets its water from the same underground water source, called an aquifer, as the bigger Lake Merced nearby.
Contents
History
How Pine Lake Got Its Name
Long ago, this area and the lake were known as Laguna Puerca. This name means "Pig Lake" in Spanish. It's thought that wild pigs used to roam and drink from the lake.
Early Owners and City Purchase
In 1847, the Greene family moved from Maine to San Francisco. They bought the land around the lake. A few years later, the City of San Francisco bought the lake. This happened after the nearby Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove was established.
Ecology
Water Source
Pine Lake is special because it's fed by an underground spring. This spring is like a hidden river flowing beneath the ground. It's the same spring that also feeds the larger Lake Merced nearby. This connection helps keep both lakes full of fresh water.
Plants Around the Lake
The edges of Pine Lake are home to many different plants. You can see tall willow trees, which often grow near water. There are also tules, which are tall, grass-like plants that grow in wet areas. Many other aquatic plants live in the water itself. These plants provide food and shelter for animals.
Wildlife and Migratory Birds
Pine Lake is a busy spot for birds, especially those traveling along the Pacific Flyway. The Pacific Flyway is like a superhighway in the sky for birds. It's a major route that many birds use to fly between their breeding grounds in the north and their winter homes in the south. Birds stop at Pine Lake to find food, rest, and sometimes even build nests. It's an important resting spot for these amazing travelers.
