Boggs Lake

Boggs Lake supports one of the best remaining examples of the State's vernal pool flora, a flora which formerly was common in the grasslands of the Central Valley. Here, however, the setting is a forest of black oak, Quercus kelloggii, madrone, Arbutus menziesii, Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and yellow pine, Pinus ponderosa.

A stand of tules, Scirpus sp., of several acres extent, rings the deeper, western end. Open water is found in the center in all but exceptionally dry years. The probable non-native bladderwort, Utricularia gibba, is found here. Water-shield, Brasenia schreberi, is common here. During wet years the lake may cover 36+ hectares (90 or more acres) during the height of the rainy season. As the water retreats during the spring and early summer a succession of concentric rings of vegetation appears, each ring dominated by species or races adapted specifically to conditions prevailing at the particular distance above the receding water level.

Three rare plant species are found here, Gratiola heterosepala, Navarretia leucocephala ssp. plieantha, and Cuscuta howelliana. The latter is known only from this site. Collinsia rattanii reaches its southernmost limits in the open woods around the lake. Juncus nevadensis, common in the Sierra Nevada, is not known in the Coast Range south of Trinity County except here. Other noteworthy species include Orcuttia tenuis, Ranunculus flammula var. ovalis, Elatine californica, Ludwigia palustris, and Legenere limosa.

Numerous birds are found in the area including a number of waterfowl, some breeding. Virginia rails, Rallus limicola, have been observed here. Several species of freshwater molluscs, including a fingernail clam, Sphaerium lacustre, and Menetus callioglyptus, occur here.

The hills in the immediate vicinity are volcanic in origin and the lake occupies a depression probably left unfilled by volcanic flows. A serpentine body lies 400 meters (a quarter of a mile) to the west. Volcanic ash, nearly impervious to water, forms the lake bottom.

Integrity: Some logging has taken place in the surrounding forest. In the late 1800's the lake was accidentally drained and has dried completely several times during this century, though normally there is water in the western end. Prior to the early 1900's catfish were found in the lake.

Use: Research, educational.

January 1975