Honey Lake
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Honey Lake is a medium-sized natural lake located in the Great Basin fed by the Susan River, whose tributaries include Gold Run, Piute, and Willow creeks. It is near the northern California-Nevada border in Lassen County, about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Susanville on U.S. Highway 395. The Honey Lake Wildlife Area is on the north end of the lake. The lake is relatively shallow, but has a very large surface area. The area is a high intermountain plateau with low rainfall and cold winters. The lake has large fluctuations in surface area and volume during the year and from year to year and during severe drought can dry up completely. On average, Honey Lake has a surface area of about 190 km² (47,000 acres) and contains about 150,000,000 m³ (120,000 acre-feet) of water. During the summer, Honey Lake becomes an alkali flat although about 3,000 acres (12 km²) of open water are maintained.
Honey Lake was previously part of Lake Lahontan, an enormous endorheic lake that existed during the last ice age, covering much of northwestern Nevada, extending into northeastern California and southern Oregon. At its height about 12,700 years ago, it had a level approximately 115 meters (380 ft) above the current level of Honey Lake.
Honey Lake Wildlife Area is on the mouth of the Susan River on the north shore of Honey Lake and has numerous bird species. Mammals such as deer and antelope and a modest amount of warm-water fish are taken at Honey Lake. The wetlands are maintained by the California Department of Fish and Game. Honey Lake recreational activities include bird-watching, picnicking, hiking, camping, warm-water fishing, and waterfowl hunting.
Honey Lake Wildlife Area (HLWA) was originally acquired to provide nesting and brood-rearing habitat for resident waterfowl, which is still a very important activity. Since its beginning, the Wildlife Area has expanded, and during peak migrations as many as 30,000 snow and Canada geese and 20,000 ducks have been observed daily. During the winter, a number of bald eagles can be observed at the HLWA, and during the spring, the threatened sandhill cranes and other sensitive species such as the white-faced ibis and bank swallow can be found. Ring-necked pheasants and California quail can be observed year-round.
