Lake Success
Looking north in an aerial view of Success Dam, located near Porterville
Lake Success Show map of California Lake Success Show map of the United States
Location	Tulare County, California, United States
Coordinates	36°04′N 118°55′W / 36.06°N 118.92°W / 36.06; -118.92
Type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Tule River
Primary outflows	Tule River
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	4 mi (6.4 km)
Max. width	2 mi (3.2 km)
Surface area	2,450 acres (990 ha)
Average depth	645 ft (197 m)
Max. depth	653 ft (199 m)
Water volume	82,000 acre⋅ft (101,000,000 m3)
Shore length1	30 mi (48 km)
Surface elevation	640 ft (200 m)
Islands	Boat Island
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

the highway 190 bridge on lake success

Lake Success is a lake near Porterville, California on the Tule River at 36°04′N 118°55′W / 36.06°N 118.92°W / 36.06; -118.92.^[1] It is formed by Success Dam and has a capacity of 82,000 acre-feet (101,000,000 m³). The 156 feet (48 m) tall earth dam is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its construction was completed in 1961.^[2] The project's primary purpose is flood control, but the lake also provides water for irrigation and recreation. California State Route 190 also crosses the lake's only bridge.

History

A cemetery was moved to allow the creation of Success Lake. The Tule River was originally only about four feet wide. Removed in the construction of the dam were Bartlett Park and Porterville Beach. Several families around the area lost their homes, including the Wilcox family, Lewis family, Templeton family, and the Kaufman family.

In 1999, surveys indicated that Success Dam might fail in an earthquake. The lake level was then drawn down to 28,000-acre-feet in 2004, contributing to the loss of the marina and seriously interfering with water recreation. A later study proved those fears to be unfounded, and the reservoir has since been refilled to 65,000 acre feet.

Wildlife

A 1,499-acre wildlife refuge protects a portion of the northwest shoreline and is considered to be one of the best bird-watching sites in Tulare County. American pelicans and Canada geese are often seen on the lake, while mallards, grebes and coots shelter closer to the shore. Bald eagles soar over the lake, while migratory shorebirds wade in the shallows. Wetlands along the shoreline provide a habitat for herons, egrets and kingfishers. The surrounding grasslands and pothole ponds are a fine place to view blacktail deer, California quail, cottontails and jackrabbits. Some areas are open for hunting in season. Trails make access to the wildlife area easy for hikers.

In fiction

In the science fiction novel Lucifer's Hammer, written by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, fragments of a comet strike the Earth, causing massive tidal waves to destroy most of the planet's coastal cities. Los Angeles is completely destroyed, and the collapse of dams throughout California causes the San Joaquin Valley to become an inland sea. The collapse of Success Dam is witnessed by two of the characters. After the disasters subside, an enclave of civilization forms in the fictional "Silver Valley", located slightly east or northeast of Springville, just north of the Middle Fork of the Tule River.

Lake recreation

A 5 mph boat speed limit is imposed from dusk to dawn, and water skiing and jet-skiing are forbidden during those hours.

Rocky Hill Campground offers only non-electric sites, but has another boat launch ramp and a picnic area. Day-use Bartlett Park has picnic shelters and a playground. There are no designated beach areas, but informal swim areas are located nearby.

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in California
• List of lakes in California

External links

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Success Lake

References^[4]

^{[1] [2]}