Rosamond Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosamond Lake |
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Rosamond (lower left) and Rogers dry lakebeds in Mojave Desert, California
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 Rosamond Lake
Location in California
Rosamond Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mojave Desert Kern County, California Los Angeles County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°49′56″N 118°03′56″W / 34.8322°N 118.0656°W |
| Lake type | Endorheic basin |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5.0 mi (8 km) |
| Max. width | 5.6 mi (9 km) |
| Surface area | 14 sq mi (35 km2) |
| Shore length1 | 19 mi (30 km) |
| Surface elevation | 2,277 ft (694 m) |
| Settlements | Edwards Air Force Base |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Rosamond Lake is a unique natural area located in the Mojave Desert in California. It's known as a "dry lake bed" because it usually doesn't have water. Instead, it's a large, flat, and often dusty area. This lake is found in both Kern and Los Angeles County, California.
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What is a Dry Lake?
A dry lake, also called a "playa," is a basin or depression that once held water. Over time, the water dried up, leaving behind a flat surface. Rosamond Lake is a great example of this. It's mostly made of clay, silt, and sand. When it rains, a thin layer of water might cover the surface. This water quickly evaporates, leaving behind a hard, cracked surface.
Where is Rosamond Lake?
Rosamond Lake is located in the southern part of California. It's about 10 miles (16 km) away from the city of Lancaster. The entire area around the lake is part of Edwards Air Force Base. This means it's a restricted area used by the United States Air Force.
Rosamond Lake's Neighbors
Rosamond Lake isn't alone in the desert. It sits right next to another, even larger dry lake called Rogers Dry Lake. These two lakes are very close to each other. Long, long ago, during a time called the Holocene (which started about 11,700 years ago), Rosamond Lake and Rogers Dry Lake were actually connected. They formed one very big body of water. Today, they are separate dry lake beds. You can also find Piute Ponds just to the southwest of Rosamond Lake.
Why are Dry Lakes Important?
Dry lakes like Rosamond Lake are important for several reasons. They provide unique environments for certain plants and animals that can survive in harsh desert conditions. They are also used for scientific research. Because they are so flat, dry lakes are perfect for testing high-speed vehicles, including airplanes and rockets. This is why Edwards Air Force Base uses Rosamond Lake and Rogers Dry Lake for their important work.
