Sand Lake (Anchorage)
Encyclopedia
In Anchorage, Sand Lake is the area surrounding Sand Lake, a stocked lake in the southwest part of the city. It is south of the Ted Stevens International Airport and Lake Spenard. The lake itself is located at 61°09′05"N 149°57′58"W and has a surface area of 78 acres (315,655.1 m²). It is one of the few big-city lakes in the world with Common and Pacific Loon populations. Its shores are mostly privately owned, but a small park to the northeast allows public access. Kayakers, fishermen, picnickers and birdwatchers frequent the area. The lake is stocked with fish by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
with rainbow trout
and salmon
populations. Northern pike, illegally introduced to the lake, have a detrimental impact on rainbow trout populations. Northern pike are significant predators on rainbow trout and salmon. In 2006 residents of the lake asked the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) for help in removing northern pike from the lake and initial planning began resulting in the application of the fish poison rotenone in 2009 to restore the fishery. In 2010 surveys confirmed that the lake was free of northern pike and ADF&G restocked the lake with rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Arctic grayling. In July of 2011 an invasive aquatic plant, Elodea, was discovered in dense growths in Sand Lake as well as nearby DeLong Lake. It has also been found in Chena Slough and Chena Lake in Fairbanks and Eyak Lake at Cordova. It is suspected that it may have entered the lake through the dumping of an aquarium as this species is currently sold at pet stores in the Anchorage area. This introduction is of much concern due to Elodea's ability to negatively impact recreational uses, floatplane operations, fish and wildlife habitat, property values.
Another local attraction is Kincaid Park
to the west.
The area becomes generally more affluent nearer to the lake, with quite a range of demographics expanding out.
The local High School is Dimond High School
although some students attend South Anchorage High School
.
The neighborhood was hard hit by the 2005 National Scout Jamboree
accident, which killed four Anchorage residents.
Recent developments in the area include the addition of over 700 homes to in the new West Park subdivision, one of the largest additions to Anchorage in years.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of Alaska. The Department of Fish and Game manages Alaska's fish, game, and aquatic plant resources.-History:...
with rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
and salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
populations. Northern pike, illegally introduced to the lake, have a detrimental impact on rainbow trout populations. Northern pike are significant predators on rainbow trout and salmon. In 2006 residents of the lake asked the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) for help in removing northern pike from the lake and initial planning began resulting in the application of the fish poison rotenone in 2009 to restore the fishery. In 2010 surveys confirmed that the lake was free of northern pike and ADF&G restocked the lake with rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Arctic grayling. In July of 2011 an invasive aquatic plant, Elodea, was discovered in dense growths in Sand Lake as well as nearby DeLong Lake. It has also been found in Chena Slough and Chena Lake in Fairbanks and Eyak Lake at Cordova. It is suspected that it may have entered the lake through the dumping of an aquarium as this species is currently sold at pet stores in the Anchorage area. This introduction is of much concern due to Elodea's ability to negatively impact recreational uses, floatplane operations, fish and wildlife habitat, property values.
Another local attraction is Kincaid Park
Kincaid Park
Kincaid Park is a municipal park in Anchorage, Alaska, located at 9401 W. Raspberry Road. The park is bounded on the South by Turnagain Arm, on the West by Knik Arm. Noted for Nordic skiing trails, in snowless months the park is frequented by runners, bikers, hikers, archers, dog-trainers,...
to the west.
The area becomes generally more affluent nearer to the lake, with quite a range of demographics expanding out.
The local High School is Dimond High School
Dimond High School
A. J. Dimond High School is a public four-year high school in Anchorage in Alaska, and is a part of the Anchorage School District. It has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Dimond High operates on a traditional six period schedule, with a nine-month school...
although some students attend South Anchorage High School
South Anchorage High School
South Anchorage High School is a public high school that serves grades 9-12 in Anchorage, Alaska, as well as students from the neighboring Turnagain Arm communities of Girdwood and Indian. South Anchorage High School is part of the Anchorage School District, and opened in the fall of 2004...
.
The neighborhood was hard hit by the 2005 National Scout Jamboree
2005 National Scout Jamboree
The 2005 National Scout Jamboree was the 16th national Scout jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America and was held from July 25, 2005 through August 3, 2005 at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia...
accident, which killed four Anchorage residents.
Recent developments in the area include the addition of over 700 homes to in the new West Park subdivision, one of the largest additions to Anchorage in years.