Lake Lagunita
{{About|the lake in Santa Clara county, CA|the lake in Marin county, CA|Lake Lagunitas}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Lake Lagunita
| image = Lake Lagunita Stanford January 2013 panorama 5.jpg
| caption = Lake Lagunita in the winter
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Stanford, California
| coords = {{coord|37.4232|-122.1760|type:waterbody_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}{{gnis|226786|Lagunita}}
| pushpin_map = California
| type = Dry lake
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment =
| basin_countries = United States
| length =
| width =
| area =
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{cvt|131|ft}}
| islands =
| cities =
}}
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 {{Circa|1870}} to provide irrigation for Palo Alto Stock Farm.{{Cite web|last=University|first=Stanford|date=2020-02-26|title=When Stanford's Lake Lagunita had water|url=https://news.stanford.edu/2020/02/26/stanfords-lake-lagunita-water/|access-date=2020-06-24|website=Stanford News|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Stanford 125|title=Lake Lagunita|url=https://125.stanford.edu/then-and-now/990/|access-date=2020-06-24|website=Stanford 125|language=en}}
Sources
File:Lake Lagunita Stanford May 2011 005.jpg
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.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. 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.Newman, Loren. "Endangered Salamanders to be Protected" The Stanford Daily, May 5, 2008Zigterma, Tom. "Lake Lag and its Dam" The Stanford Daily, May 8, 2008 The diversion dam on San Francisquito Creek that had been used to fill the lake was removed in 2019.{{cite web |author=Joel Berman |title=Stanford removes Lagunita Diversion Dam |year=2019 |url=https://news.stanford.edu/2019/02/27/stanford-removes-lagunita-diversion-dam/ }}
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. {{citation needed|date=November 2011}} The lake was filled from the heavy rains of January 2023.{{cite web | url=https://stanforddaily.com/2023/01/17/leveling-up-lake-lagunita-water-level-reaches-new-heights/ | title=Leveling up: Lake Lagunita water level reaches new heights | date=17 January 2023 }}
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.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}
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 {{convert|0.9|mi|km|adj=on}} perimeter trail, which is open for jogging or walking.[http://running.stanford.edu/Runs/LakeLag.htm Lake Lag Trail] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712222418/http://running.stanford.edu/Runs/LakeLag.htm |date=2007-07-12 }}
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 Order, and Jerry.
Wildlife
Amphibians:
- California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense): During the winter, the lake is the breeding ground for a population of California tiger salamanders, which are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. However, the Lagunita population is believed to be at greater risk because individuals are frequently killed on or nearby Junipero Serra Boulevard during their migrations to and from the lake. As a result, a $100,000 system of migration tunnels was placed underground in 2001.
- Western toad (Bufo boreas)
- Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla)
Birds:
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
- Great blue heron (Ardea herodias)
- Great egret (Ardea alba)