Detailed Data
Mono Lake
Partner Living Lakes
Mono Lake Committee
Partner Lake since
1998 (Foundation member)
Origin
geological processes: block faulting activity
Age
760,000 years
Size
182 sq. km [km²]
Length, width
20,92 km x 14,48 km
Water volume
3.22 billion of cubic m [m³]
Maximum depth
48.8 m
Sea level (1999)
1,947 m
Catchment area
1,800 sq. km [km²]
In-flows
5
Largest in-flows
Rush Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Mill Creek
Out-flow
none
Salinity
79.6 g/l (2008)
80 g/l (2000)
99 g/l (1982)
51.3 g/l (1941)
Precipitation per year
152 - 330 mm (in the lake region)
305 - 1,016 mm (in the mountains)
1,270 - 8,890 mm (snow)
Mean air temperature
9,4 °C
Frozen over
too saline to freeze over completely
Location
California / USA
Vegetation
sagebrush high desert
Number of species living in the lake
not known; brine shrimp abudant
Fish
Birds
more than 250 species
Major nesting birds
50,000 California Gull
Major migratory birds
60,000 Eared Grebe
80,000 Wilson´s Phalarope
60,000 Red-necked Phalarope
Biggest problem
water withdrawal from in-flowing rivers
Greatest success
minimising water withdrawal
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