| Visitation: 258,000 | ||
| Area: 4,200 Acres | ||
| Lat: 36.062075 | ||
| Lon: 118.918419 | ||
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Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
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| Success Lake - Site # 201 | |||
| In an area noted most for its arid grasslands and irrigated orange groves, this prominent lake flanked by foothills and rocky peaks is a haven for wildlife. | |||
 | Regional - worth visiting if you are already in the area. They may be located farther from populated areas or with more limited wildlife species. | ||
| Background: | Groups of American white pelicans and Canada geese are conspicuous on the lake. Less obvious are the mallards, western grebes, pied-billed grebes and American coots. Shallow wetlands scattered along the lake margins attract resident herons, egrets, belted kingfishers, and a variety of migratory shorebirds, including greater yellowlegs and least sandpipers. Ring-billed gulls and California gulls may be joined by bald eagles scanning the lake for fish. They also share the skies with red-shouldered hawks, red-tailed hawks, and American kestrels. The surrounding grasslands, scattered oaks, and pothole ponds are a beacon for blacktail deer, California quail, mouning doves, northern flickers, and western scrub-jays. Songbirds are common too. Some favorites are black phoebes, house finchs, violet-green swallows, rock wrens, loggerhead shrikes, and western meadowlarks. Cottontail rabbits and jack rabbits are prevalent, and you may even catch a glimpse of a bobcat or endangered San Joaquin kit fox in the evening near the nature trail located below the dam. Recently the Nature trail has been closed due to testing the dam for sizemic activity. One of the main highlights is the breeding dance of the Western Grebes in the spring from April to May. Lake Success is one of the best places to bird in Tulare County for birds in general. | ||
| The Habitat: | Lake is surounded by 70% open grassland, 20% Riparian in the different coves of the Lake, and 10% Oak woodland. | ||
| The Experience: | The water from Lake Success is used in the Valley to help irrigate farmers crops. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Car, camping, picnic, trails and by boat | ||
| Viewing Tips: | Excellent chance of seeing pelicans, geese, and ducks during winter. Pied-billed grebes and mallards present in spring and fall. Some songbirds are visible year-round but the best viewing is in spring and fall. Viewings of resident hawks, woodpeckers, upland birds and mammals are common. | ||
| Site Notes: | Lake Success is a great roosting place for Gulls. They are often in the middle of the lake or on shore. Western Grebe's run on water doing their breeding dance is something to see. | ||
| Nearby Viewing Sites: | Hwy 176 on the Northwest side of Lake Success is the Wildlife Refuge which provides execellent wildlife viewing for desert species. | ||
| Festivals & Events: | On site: National Public Lands Day. Off site: Fresno Fair, Porterville Fair, Tulare County Fair, Tulare Worl Ag Expo, sporting shows. | ||
| Visitor Information: | Porterville Chamber of Commerce - 559-784-7502 - http://www.chamber.porterville.com | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | Yes | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | Lake access is 24 hours a day | ||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| Seasonal: | Some campsites or day use facilities may close through the winter. Call for exact closure dates and facilities. | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved.  Dirt. | ||
| Road Hazards: None | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 0 | |||
| Parking Fee: Yes | |||
| Proximity to viewing area:Varies depending on recreation area | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: Yes | |||
| Parking Notes: Day Use fees are charged in designated Day Use area. Day Use fees are charged per vehicle. | |||
| How to Get There: | From Porterville, CA: Take Highway 190 east for 5 miles, Turn left into the Park Headquarters. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | US Army Corps of Engineers | ||
| Agency Site URL: | http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/success.html | ||
| Physical Address: | 29330 Highway 190 Porterville, CA 93258-1072 |
Agency 2: | PO Box 1072 Porterville, CA 93258-1072 |
| Manager Phone: | 559-784-0215 | Contact Us: | by Email |
| Site Phone: | 559-784-0215 | ||
| County: | Tulare | ||
| Addition Website: | |||