Snow Water Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snow Water Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Snow Water Lake
Location in Nevada
|
|
| Location | Elko County, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 40°47′15″N 114°57′47″W / 40.78750°N 114.96306°W |
| Type | lake |
Snow Water Lake is a special lake located in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's found in Elko County, Nevada, a part of the state known for its wide-open spaces and natural beauty. This lake is unique because it often dries up completely. When it does have water, it gets its name from how it fills up: mostly from melting snow.
Contents
What Makes Snow Water Lake Special?
Snow Water Lake is an example of an intermittent lake. This means it's not always full of water. Many lakes in dry areas like Nevada can be intermittent. They depend on rainfall and snowmelt to fill up.
How Does the Lake Get Its Water?
The main way Snow Water Lake gets water is from snow melting in the nearby mountains. When winter snows melt in the spring, the water flows down into the lake basin. This is why it's called "Snow Water Lake." If there isn't much snow, or if the weather is very hot and dry, the lake might stay empty for a long time.
Where is Snow Water Lake Located?
Snow Water Lake is in the eastern part of Nevada, within Elko County. This area is mostly rural, with vast landscapes and few large cities. It's part of the Great Basin, a large dry region in the western United States. In the Great Basin, rivers and streams often flow into lakes that have no outlet to the ocean. This means water can only leave these lakes by evaporating.
The Great Basin's Unique Water System
The Great Basin is special because its water doesn't flow to any ocean. Instead, all the rain and snow that falls here either sinks into the ground or collects in lakes. These lakes then slowly dry up as the water evaporates into the air. This is why many lakes in Nevada, like Snow Water Lake, can be very shallow or even disappear completely during dry periods.
The Environment Around the Lake
Even when Snow Water Lake is dry, the area around it is part of an important ecosystem. The land is often covered in sagebrush and other plants that can survive in dry conditions. This environment supports various types of wildlife.
What Animals Might Live Here?
When the lake has water, it can attract birds and other animals looking for a drink. Even when dry, the surrounding desert environment is home to many creatures. You might find jackrabbits, coyotes, and various types of reptiles. Birds that can adapt to dry conditions also live in the area.
Plants of the Nevada Desert
The plants around Snow Water Lake are adapted to dry weather. Common plants include different kinds of sagebrush, grasses, and juniper trees. These plants are tough and can handle very little water and big changes in temperature between day and night.
Why is Studying Lakes Like This Important?
Studying lakes like Snow Water Lake helps scientists understand how climate change affects water resources. When lakes dry up more often, it can impact local wildlife and the environment. It also shows us how important snowmelt is for water supply in dry regions.
Understanding Water Cycles
Snow Water Lake is a great example of a natural water cycle. It shows how water moves from snow to a lake and then evaporates back into the atmosphere. This cycle is vital for all life on Earth. When this cycle changes, it can have big effects on our planet.
