Grass Lake
Map SatelliteGrass Lake is a closed basin, more marsh than lake, though during the wet season there is open water. A variety of marsh plants occurs here, including Juncus sp., Carex sp., Cyperus sp., and Heleocharis sp.
Bordering the lake is a ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, forest intermixed with Great Basin sage, with Artemisia tridentata and rabbit brush, Chrysothamnus nauseosus.
A variety of waterfowl use the area during migration; the sandhill crane, Grus canadensis, is a frequent visitor. A number breed here, including the blue-winged teal, Anas discors, and the redhead, Aythya americana, the latter at one of its highest breeding densities in the State. Other breeding birds are black terns, Chlidonias niger, and yellow-headed blackbirds, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.
Mammals that have been sighted in the area include black bear, Ursus americanus, and muskrat, Ondatra zibethica.
Integrity: There are both a road and railroad along the southern end of the depression. Most of the area is relatively undisturbed.
Use: Private
April 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
