Silverwood Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silverwood Lake |
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Looking north, Cedar Springs Dam at top left
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 Silverwood Lake
Location in California
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| Location | San Bernardino County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°18′14″N 117°19′05″W / 34.30389°N 117.31806°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | California Aqueduct and West Fork Mojave River, East Fork of West Fork Mojave River and Sawpit Canyon Creek |
| Primary outflows | West Fork Mojave River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Water volume | 73,000 acre-feet (90×106 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,023 m (3,356 ft) |
Silverwood Lake is a big lake in San Bernardino County, California, USA. It's actually a reservoir, which is a man-made lake used to store water. This lake is found on the West Fork Mojave River, which flows into the larger Mojave River in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Silverwood Lake was created in 1971. It was built as part of the State Water Project, a huge system that moves water across California. The lake was formed by building the Cedar Springs Dam. This dam created a "forebay," which is like a smaller reservoir that feeds into a larger water system. The lake holds a lot of water, about 73,000 acre-feet.
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About Silverwood Lake
Silverwood Lake is an important part of the California Aqueduct system. The aqueduct is a very long canal that carries water to different parts of California. Silverwood Lake is on the East Branch of this aqueduct.
The California Department of Water Resources manages the lake. It provides a key water source for nearby communities. These include areas in the San Bernardino Mountains and the Mojave Desert.
The land around the lake is also used for fun activities. There are about 2,400 acres of recreation land around Silverwood Lake.
Highest Reservoir in the State Water Project
Silverwood Lake sits at a high elevation of about 3,355 feet (1,023 meters). This makes it the highest reservoir in the entire California State Water Project.
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
The Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is a fun place to visit. It's one of California's many State Parks. Here, you can enjoy many outdoor activities.
You can have picnics with your family and friends. There are also many hiking trails to explore. If you like to swim, there are special swimming beaches. The park also has areas set aside for boating, water-skiing, and fishing.
Pacific Crest Trail Access
The famous Pacific Crest Trail passes through the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. This trail is super long, stretching about 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers). It goes all the way from Mexico to Canada, crossing three western states.
You can find trailheads here for both short walks or longer hikes. It's a great spot for adventurers!
Fish Safety Advisory
In 2009, a study looked at the fish in Silverwood Lake. It found some levels of certain chemicals in fish like largemouth bass. These chemicals are called PCBs and mercury.
Because of this, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has given advice for eating fish from the lake. This advice helps people know how much fish is safe to eat. It's important to check these guidelines if you plan to keep and eat fish caught in Silverwood Lake.
