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Pine Lake (San Francisco) facts for kids

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Pine Lake
  • Laguna Puerca
  • Pig Lake
Puerca Laguna @ Stern Grove (4427380457).jpg
Pine Lake in 2010
Location of Pine Lake in California, USA.
Location of Pine Lake in California, USA.
Pine Lake
Location in California
Location of Pine Lake in California, USA.
Location of Pine Lake in California, USA.
Pine Lake
Location in the United States
Location Pine Lake Park, San Francisco, California
Coordinates 37°44′10″N 122°29′20″W / 37.7361888°N 122.4888264°W / 37.7361888; -122.4888264
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.

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.

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