Lake Lagunita Explained

Lake Lagunita
Coords:37.4232°N -122.176°W
Pushpin Map:California
Basin Countries:United States

Lake Lagunita, informally referred to as Lake Lag, is an artificial dry lake in Stanford University, California, located on the western side of the Stanford campus near the Lagunita residences. It was created in to provide irrigation for Palo Alto Stock Farm.[1] [2]

Sources

During winters with normal rainfall, the lake used to be filled by diversion from San Francisquito Creek to a three-meter depth along with artificial water level maintenance, allowing recreational use by students.[3] However, the lake has not been artificially filled since the late 1990s, due to problems either with the lake's damming walls or with conservation efforts.[4] [5] The diversion dam on San Francisquito Creek that had been used to fill the lake was removed in 2019.[6]

As the lake is no longer permanently filled, it serves as a drainage basin and contains vernal pools throughout the winter and spring months. It is during this time that it serves as a vital breeding ground for endemic amphibians, rabbits, jack-rabbits, and ground squirrels. The lake was filled from the heavy rains of January 2023.[7]

As of May 2020, Stanford University is constructing a steel-stake & plastic-mesh fence around the dry lake. This may isolate & impede native wildlife including jack-rabbits (common hare), cottontail rabbits, voles, ground squirrels, tree squirrels, moles, coyotes and other endemic species.

Uses

The lake provides a site for recreation, and functions as a holding basin for flood control. It also offers habitat for animals.

Adjacent to the lake is a 0.9miles perimeter trail, which is open for jogging or walking.[8]

Many dormitory residences, row houses, and several fraternities are located near the lake, including the Lagunita residences, Roble Hall, Enchanted Broccoli Forest (EBF), Narnia, Kappa Alpha, and Jerry.

Wildlife

Amphibians:

Birds:

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: University. Stanford. 2020-02-26. When Stanford's Lake Lagunita had water. 2020-06-24. Stanford News. en.
  2. Web site: Stanford 125. Lake Lagunita. 2020-06-24. Stanford 125. en.
  3. S.J. Barry and H.B. Shaffer. "The Status of the California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense) at Lagunita: A 50-Year Update". Journal of Herpetology 28, No. 2 (June 1994), 159–164.
  4. Newman, Loren. "Endangered Salamanders to be Protected" The Stanford Daily, May 5, 2008
  5. Zigterma, Tom. "Lake Lag and its Dam" The Stanford Daily, May 8, 2008
  6. Web site: Joel Berman . Stanford removes Lagunita Diversion Dam . 2019 .
  7. Web site: Leveling up: Lake Lagunita water level reaches new heights . 17 January 2023 .
  8. http://running.stanford.edu/Runs/LakeLag.htm Lake Lag Trail