What happened at Mono Lake?

In 1941, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power began diverting water from Mono Lake’s tributary streams, sending it 350 miles south to meet the growing water demands of Los Angeles. Deprived of its freshwater sources, the lake dropped 45 vertical feet. Its salinity doubled and the ecosystem approached collapse.

Is Mono Lake a dead lake?

Mono Lake is known as the Dead Sea of California. It’s 2.5 times saltier than the ocean and high in alkalinity. This is because Mono Lake has no outlet and only collects water where large quantities of salt accumulate. But, it’s not actually DEAD, instead teeming with life.

What is Mono Lake famous for?

Mono Lake has become known for its unusual limestone towers- revealed by the decline in water level and known to extend up to 12 feet. Tufa are towers of calcium carbonate created underwater by the chemical reaction of calcium from fresh water springs with carbonates of the alkaline lake.

What happens if you swim in Mono Lake?

A swim in Mono Lake is a memorable experience. The lake”s salty water is denser than ocean water, and provides a delightfully buoyant swim. Old timers claim that a soak in the lake will cure almost anything. Keep the water out of your eyes or any cuts, as it will sting.

Why did David and Sally Gaines want to save Mono Lake?

They found that the lake supported abundant life, from brine shrimp to birds, but also that if the water diversions continued, its ecological collapse seemed inevitable. Appalled by that prospect, members of the group—David Gaines, Sally Judy, and others—founded the Mono Lake Committee in 1978 to try to save Mono Lake.

Are there bears at Mono Lake?

Bears, Cougars, Bobcats, Squirrels, Marmots, Deer and other animals also call the Sierra’s there home, and it is important for locals and visitors alike to respect these animals. Probably the most popular animal that many visitors tend to be focused on, are bears.

Is Mono Lake man made?

Geologic History of Mono Lake Mono Lake Basin was formed by the same geologic processes that shaped the Nevada and Eastern Sierra landscape over the past several million years. Extension, or pulling apart, of the Earth’s crust has created north/south trending mountain ranges flanked by deep, long valleys.

Is Mono Lake toxic?

Mono Lake sits in a sealed basin close to California’s Yosemite National Park. With no outlet connecting it to other bodies of water, any chemicals flowing into the lake tend to stay there. As a result, the lake has built up some of the highest concentrations of arsenic on the planet.

Why are there no boats on Mono Lake?

“Mono Lake’s conditions are not suitable for speedboats or jet skis, since the water is very salty and alkaline and there are many submerged obstacles.” [The Mono Lake Committee]

Is Mono Lake recovering?

Now, even after allowing an extra seven years for that transition, the lake is less than 40% of the way to 6392′. In fact Mono Lake is 11 vertical feet short of the goal, showing that the lake is far from recovering from decades of excessive water diversions.

What do you do if you see a bear in Mammoth?

Don’t run from a bear. When encountering a bear do not turn and run. Hold your ground, stand tall and make noise, even if that means bluff charging with a huffing noise. To exit the scene, back away slowly.