Square Lake (Tehama County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Square Lake |
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 Square Lake
Location in California
Square Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tehama County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°02′32″N 122°51′01″W / 40.04222°N 122.85028°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 7,021 ft (2,140 m) |
Square Lake is a cool lake found high up in the mountains of northern California. It's located in Tehama County, California, which is part of the California Coast Ranges. This lake is special because of its shape and where it sits.
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What Makes Square Lake Unique?
Square Lake is not just any lake. It's a type of lake called a tarn. Tarns are lakes that form in a specific kind of mountain valley.
A Tarn and a Cirque
A tarn is a lake that forms in a bowl-shaped hollow. This hollow is carved out by a glacier. Glaciers are like giant, slow-moving rivers of ice. When a glacier melts, it leaves behind a deep, rounded basin. This basin then fills with water, creating a tarn.
The bowl-shaped hollow where Square Lake sits is called a cirque. A cirque is a natural amphitheater-like valley. It has steep sides and a curved back wall. Glaciers create these cirques as they grind away at the mountainside.
Where is Square Lake Located?
Square Lake is found in the northern part of the California Coast Ranges. This is a mountain range that runs along the coast of California.
High in the Mountains
The lake is located north of a mountain called Mount Linn. It sits at a high elevation, about 7,021 feet (2,140 m) (which is about 2,140 meters) above sea level. Being so high up means the lake is surrounded by rugged mountain scenery.
Why is it Called Square Lake?
The name "Square Lake" is very fitting! The lake has shorelines that are quite straight. This makes the lake look like a square or a rectangle when you see it from above. It's a very unusual and interesting shape for a natural lake.
