Tule Lake is part of a large basin which includes Klamath Basin to the north in Oregon and several lakes just south of Klamath in northern California. It has been designated a national wildlife refuge and as such provides a location for migrating birds to stop and rest up on their journey either north or south. Thus, these area of northern California and southern Oregon is also called a flyway for migrating birds.
Furthermore, from what I understand, this area which is abundant with lakes has a large bird population year round. Too, one of the lakes nearby is a nesting location for both bald eagles and golden eagles.
History:
Tule Lake was historically a wetland area, but much of it was drained for agricultural use starting in the early 20th century. The Newlands Reclamation Act of 1902 authorized projects to drain the area, and these efforts were later bolstered by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the New Deal, according to the NPS.
Tule Lake is one of some twenty ancient lakes world-wide that are believed to have existed continuously for an extremely long time, some wise men say as long as one million year.
Description:
Type of Lake:
Ancient Lake, Intermittent Lake
Source:
Lost River
Outlet:
None, closed basin
Surface Area:
20.3 sq mi (13,000 acres)
Maximum Length:
5 miles (8 km)
Maximum Width:
3 miles (4.8 km)
Location:
Tule Lake is in northeastern Siskiyou County and northwestern Modoc County, not far from the Oregon-California state line.
Nearest Town:
Tule Lake, California
1.5 miles to the northeast.
Coordinates:
41.90932, -121.53305
Surface Elevation:
4035 feet
Geographical Region:
Pacific Coast
The Ancients
The Earth
National Parks and Monuments:
California National Parks & Monuments Gallery Index
Lava Beds National Monument (petroglyphs)
(41.71, -121.51)
Tule Lake National Monument (War Relocation Center)
(41.889444, -121.374722)
Klamath River Dam (Little River Dam)
(42.134733492305116, -121.94867881481095)
Klamath Wild and Scenic River
(42.08942697, -122.07248791)
Klamath River Camp
(42.0560589, -122.0891733)
The Modern Man
The Steps
