HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems
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HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems |
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Buena Vista Lake Area Within historic times this area was one of the largest lake beds in the State, serving as the drainage basin for the Kern River which had built up a fan extending across the valley to the Temblor Range fans on the west, forming the basin. Most of the area is farmed today; however, here and there are patches of the original vegetation which included cottonwood riparian, alkali playas and shallow-water associations. In the riparian association cottonwood, Populus fremontii, and black willow, Salix gooddingii, are found along with mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana, fog bush, Atriplex argentea, and rush, Juncus textilis. North of the lake were vast tule, Scirpus sp., marshes. The alkaline playas consist of denuded soils and low ridges, with such plants as iodine bush, Allenrolfea occidentalis, Suaeda fruticosa, alkali weed, Cressa truxillensis, and Lasthenia californica. A number of waterfowl still use the area when it is flooded during the winter, including pintails, Anas acuta, shoveler, Spatula clypeata, and green-winged teal, Anas carolinensis. This area was where the last surviving tule elk, Cervus nannodes, took refuge before the transplants of the 20th century. Integrity: Very limited amount of natural habitat; farming, roads, etc., in the area. A boating lake is under construction. Use: Educational, observational, research, light recreation, on public portion; remainder, private. March 1976 Kern |
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