Lake Merritt

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Looking west across Lake Merritt. In the distance is the Oakland Courthouse and Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center. At the right is the Bellevue-Staten Building.

Lake Merritt is a large tidal lagoon that lies just east of downtown Oakland, California. It is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. A popular walking and jogging path runs along its perimeter.

History

In 1867, Dr. Samuel Merritt donated 155 acres (627,000 m²) of dammed tidal water from the headwaters of Indian Slough; it became known as "Merritt's Lake" and later Lake Merritt.

Originally, the "lake" was a tidal estuary of San Francisco Bay. It has always attracted migratory birds, and in order to protect the birds from duck hunters, in 1869 the body of water was declared a National Wildlife Refuge, making it the first such refuge in North America.

The Lake Merritt Wild Duck Refuge became a National Historic Landmark on May 23, 1963.

Children's Fairyland is on the lake's shore in Lakeside Park.

A view looking East towards man made islands of the Lake Merritt Bird Sanctuary. The Bellevue-Staten apartment building is in view and the Oakland/Piedmont Hills are in the background.

Jogging path

A popular 3.5 mile jogging path surrounds Lake Merritt.

Necklace of lights

A "necklace of lights" encircles Lake Merritt. Featuring 126 lampposts and 3,400 "pearly bulbs", the necklace was first lit in 1925. In 1941 the lights were dimmed due to World War II blackout conditions. After a decade long campaign, the lights were again illuminated in 1990.

Birds of Lake Merritt

The lake features a healthy year-round population of birds. It does see seasonal fluctuations in the types of birds who call the lake home.

Year round

All year round, the lake is home to moderate Canada Goose, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Cormorant, American coot, and Gull populations. There are also small Mallard Duck and Pelican populations.

Cold season

From November through March the lake plays host to a very large population of Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup, who spend most of their time floating on the water, mostly just sleeping. Smaller numbers of Canvasback, Bufflehead, and other migratory diving ducks are also present during the cold season.

Dry season

From June until the end of September, the lake's Canada Goose population increases significantly; they become nearly ubiquitous around the perimeter of the lake. In late summer and early fall a moderate pelican population also arrives.

References

• National Historic Landmarks Program

External links

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
  • Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth
• Lakeside Park/Lake Merritt
• History of Lake Merritt's Wildlife Sanctuary
• Birds of Lake Merritt
• The Lake Merritt Institute
• Interview with "The Lakekeeper"
• The Cleveland Cascade -- once-stunning cascading water fountain on shores of Lake Merritt, soon to be restored.