Mono Lake Near Historic Low Water Levels
Mono Lake, California in the Eastern Sierras is known for its amazing tufa towers providing an oasis in the dry, Great Basin for migratory waterfowl. For guided tours and field trips see: monolake.org
Except for the Sierra Nevada immediately to the west, Mono Lake is surrounded by a volcanic landscape consisting of the Bodie Hills and Cowtrack Mountains formed millions of years ago. 14 different ecological zones, over 1000 plant species, and roughly 400 recorded vertebrate species dwell within its watershed, making Mono Lake and its surrounding basin one of California’s richest natural areas.
Its very existence has been in jeopardy since 1941 when the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power began diverting the lake’s tributary streams to quench the thirst of growing Southern California. Mono Lake halved while its salinity doubled. It was an ecological system on the brink of collapse. Individuals and groups such as Mono Lake Committee have fought for its survival since that time. The current drought is of great concern to them–their current estimates are that 2014 will be drier than the driest recorded runoff year, setting a new record!
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