Goose Lake (Oregon-California)

Goose Lake
An alkaline dust storm blowing into Lakeview, Oregon, over the deeper north end of the lake (seen from U.S. Route 395 near Sugar Hill, 2009)
Location	Fremont National Forest and Modoc National Forest Lake County, Oregon and Modoc County, California
Coordinates	41°55′0″N 120°26′4″W / 41.91667°N 120.43444°W / 41.91667; -120.43444Coordinates: 41°55′0″N 120°26′4″W / 41.91667°N 120.43444°W / 41.91667; -120.43444
Lake type	Pluvial and alkaline
Primary inflows	Willow Creek Thomas Creek
Primary outflows	Closed basin with rare flows to the Pit River
Catchment area	1,080 sq mi (2,800 km2)
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	42 km (26 mi)
Max. width	15 km (9.3 mi)
Surface area	147 sq mi (380 km2)
Max. depth	8 m (26 ft)
Shore length1	110 km (68 mi)
Surface elevation	1,434 m (4,705 ft)
Settlements	Fairport, California Willow Ranch, California
References
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Goose Lake is a large alkaline lake in the Goose Lake Valley on the Oregon–California border in the United States. Like many other lakes in the Great Basin, it is a pluvial lake that formed from precipitation and melting glaciers during the epoch. The north portion of the lake is in Lake County, Oregon, and the south portion is in Modoc County, California. The mountains at the north end of the lake are part of the Fremont National Forest, and the south end of the lake is adjacent to Modoc National Forest lands. Most of the valley property around the lake is privately owned agricultural land, though Goose Lake State Recreation Area is on the Oregon side of the lake.

Goose Lake is the center of a semi-closed drainage basin. Its watershed is normally endorheic, but sometimes flows into the Pit River, part of the Sacramento River watershed, during periods of high water following heavy rainfall or snowmelt. During the 1970s and 1980s, the USGS defined Goose Lake as part of the Sacramento's watershed, but has redefined Goose Lake's watershed as a closed basin.

Goose Lake is part of a geological trough which runs from Oregon southward past Death Valley, the Walker Lane.

Goose Lake State Recreation Area includes a campground with various amenities. The park attracts wildlife watchers, campers, and boaters. The campground is open mid-April to mid-October. It is habitat to many flora and fauna including western grebe, long-billed curlew, and a large herd of mule deer which spend much of the time in the 48-site campground.