Sand Lake (Anchorage) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sand Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Sand Lake
Location in Alaska
|
|
| Location | Anchorage, Alaska, United States |
| Coordinates | 61°09′05″N 149°57′58″W / 61.15139°N 149.96611°W |
| Surface area | 78 acres (320,000 m2) |
Sand Lake is a cool area in Anchorage, Alaska. It's named after a lake that's regularly filled with fish for people to catch. This area is in the southwest part of the city. It's located south of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Lake Spenard. The lake itself covers about 78 acres (32 hectares).
Contents
Fish and Wildlife in Sand Lake
Sand Lake is a popular spot for fishing. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game adds fish to the lake. They usually stock it with fish like rainbow trout and salmon. This helps keep the lake a great place for anglers.
Dealing with Invasive Fish
Sometimes, unwanted fish can get into a lake. For example, northern pike were illegally put into Sand Lake. These pike are big eaters and caused problems for the rainbow trout and salmon populations. They ate too many of them!
In 2006, people living near the lake asked for help. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) started a plan to remove the northern pike. In 2009, they used a special fish poison called rotenone to clear the lake. By 2010, surveys showed the lake was free of northern pike. The ADF&G then restocked the lake with new fish. These included rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Arctic grayling.
The Elodea Plant Problem
In 2011, an unwanted water plant called Elodea was found in Sand Lake. It was growing in thick patches. It was also found in nearby DeLong and Little Campbell Lakes. This plant is a big concern because it can harm the lake.
Elodea might have gotten into the lake from someone dumping an aquarium. This plant is often used in home aquariums. It's also sometimes used in science classes at schools. This plant can make it hard to use the lake for fun activities. It can also hurt fish and wildlife homes. Plus, it can even lower the value of homes nearby.
Fun Things to Do Around Sand Lake
There are many cool places near Sand Lake. One popular spot is Kincaid Park, which is to the west. This park is huge and offers lots of outdoor activities. You can go hiking, biking, or even cross-country skiing there.
The local high school for students in this area is Dimond High School. It's an important part of the community.
The Sand Lake Neighborhood
The area around Sand Lake is mostly residential. This means lots of homes and families live here. The houses closer to the lake tend to be larger and more expensive. However, the neighborhood has a mix of different types of families.
In 2005, the Sand Lake community faced a sad event. It was related to the National Scout Jamboree, and four people from Anchorage passed away. This was a very difficult time for the neighborhood.
Recently, the Sand Lake area has grown quite a bit. Over 700 new homes were built in a new area called West Park. This was one of the biggest new housing additions in Anchorage for many years.
