Elizabeth Lake

Elizabeth Lake. Local and Natural History. , Lake Hughes , The community of Lake Hughes became a mountain resort destination in the early 1900s. , Elizabeth Tunnel , The 5 mile tunnel was built in 1911 for the First LA Aqueduct carrying water from the Eastern Sierra to Los Angeles. , Pacific Crest Trail , The renowned Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) is 2,450 miles from the Mexican to the Canadian border. , Western Pond Turtle , The only remaining native freshwater turtle species in California. A small, genetically important population occurs in Lake Elizabeth. By 2015, low water levels left the turtles without food or suitable habitat. A rescue mission moved them to a nearby pond with the food and water required for their survival. , The photographs show the changes in Elizabeth Lake through the years. During droughts the lake can shrink or even dry out. , Elizabeth Lake is a perennial sag pond that lies atop the San Andreas fault. During non-drought years it has been a year-round oasis and recreation destination for water sports and boating. In recent years it has mostly been a dry lake-bed at the center of a chaparral landscape. When the lake dries out it is mostly due to extended droughts and declining watershed levels.