Dunes Lake
Map SatelliteA series of ten freshwater lakes, with margins of freshwater marsh and riparian woodland, is situated in the hollows of the Nipomo Dunes. They are among the last remaining coastal sand dune lakes in California.
Both stabilized and unstabilized dunes are found within the area. The former are covered with coastal sage scrub mixed with coastal strand.
The marsh plants include Typha spp., Scirpus spp., and others. The woodland is a mix of arroyo willow, Salix lasiolepis, and wax myrtle, Myrica californica. Several rare plants are found in the immediate vicinity of the lakes, including Rorippa gambellii and Cirsium loncholepis.
Numerous birds are present as are other animals, and there are also several planted fish such as largemouth bass, bluegill and crappy. Duck and other waterfowl and shorebirds are found in considerable number during the migratory seasons.
The lakes were watercourses of considerable size before and during the last glacial period and probably were part of a large tidal lagoon or perhaps part of a much larger bay similar to Morro Bay.
Integrity: The area is in a relatively natural state. It is managed for limited hunting and fishing. The lake levels are maintained year-round; one is drained to control the blue-green algae.
Use: Private
Ref: Cooper, William, 1967. Coastal Dunes of California. Geo. Soc. of Amer. Mem. #104, pp. 75-89.
Hoover, Robert, 1970. Vascular Plants of San Luis Obispo County, California. Berkeley: University of California Press.
July 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman