Why is it called China Lake?

The name “China Lake” is believed to have come from Chinese prospectors harvesting borax (an operation known as “The Little Chinese Borax Works”) from the dry lake bed located approximately 1.5 miles south of Paxton Ranch.

What does the Navy do at China Lake?

NAWS China Lake provides and maintains land, facilities and other assets that support the Navy’s research, development, acquisition, testing and evaluation (RDAT&E) of cutting-edge weapons systems for the warfighter.

When did China lake dry up?

It is located 2.5 miles (4 km) north-northeast of Ridgecrest, at an elevation of 2264 feet (690 m). The place is on China Lake, a dry lake on the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The first post office at China Lake opened in 1948….China Lake, Kern County, California.

China Lake
County Kern County
Elevation 2,264 ft (690 m)

What is the largest in acres United States Navy owned property?

The navy’s largest complex is Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, California, which covers 1.1 million acres (4,500 km2) of land, or approximately 38% of the United States Navy’s total land holdings worldwide.

Is China Lake a real lake?

China Lake is a dry lake. Its name comes from Chinese prospectors harvesting borax from the lake bed, approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of Paxton Ranch. The operation was known locally as “The Little Chinese Borax Works”.

Are there nuclear weapons at China Lake?

Annular-blast-fragmentation warhead (Shrike (AGM-45) antiradar missile) detonation against simulated threat radar complex; military explosives and specialized warheads have been areas of unparalleled China Lake accomplishment for 5 decades.

What is China Lake famous for?

China Lake is the U.S. Navy’s largest single landholding, representing 85% of the Navy’s land for weapons and armaments research, development, acquisition, testing and evaluation (RDAT&E) use and 38% of the Navy’s land holdings worldwide.

What is the weird thing north of Ridgecrest California?

The petroglyphs are part of the Coso Rock Art District National Historic Landmark, which encompasses 36,000 acres within the NAWS. Since the NAWS is an active military test range, access is controlled by the Navy and can only occur with Navy approval.

What is that thing north of Ridgecrest?

China Lake is situated next to the town of Ridgecrest, a thriving town with a population of nearly 30,000. China Lake/Ridgecrest is located near three major highways, US Hwy 395 and California State Highways, 14 and 178.

Is Ridgecrest in Mojave Desert?

Ridgecrest is surrounded by four mountain ranges; the Sierra Nevada on the west, the Cosos on the North, the Argus Range on the east, and the El Paso Mountains to the South. Ridgecrest is the only incorporated community in the Indian Wells Valley and is located in the Mojave Desert, west of Death Valley National Park.

Who lives in Ridgecrest California?

Ridgecrest is a fairly diverse place, with 65% of the population being Caucasian, as well as a large Hispanic population, about 22% of the community’s residents, and small black and Asian communities as well. Ridgecrest’s gender ratio is split 50/50 between men and women.

What is above Ridgecrest CA?

Ridgecrest is surrounded by four mountain ranges; the Sierra Nevada on the west, the Cosos on the north, the Argus Range on the east, and the El Paso Mountains on the south.