Mono Lake

California, USA

The Mono Lake is located in a 40 km wide desert basin, about 2,000 m above sea level, on the eastern side to the Sierra Nevada.

As Mono Lake is a terminal lake, its water is twice as salty as seawater and contains large amounts of minerals. The chemical richness of the lake fosters algae growth, which feeds brine shrimp and alkali flies in the shallows and along the shoreline of the lake. These rich sources of protein attract migratory shorebirds including California Gulls and Wilson Phalaropes.

Today´s scenery is characterised by the unique Tufa Towers, bizarre sculptures of limestone that have grown over many years. The process of salinization was greatly accelerated by the great demand of water of Los Angeles that is situated 300 miles south of Mono Lake. In 1941 the city of Los Angeles began diverting four of the five major streams that feed Mono Lake. As a consequence, the lake level declined, and the salinity doubled.

Years of negotiations, court battles, research and formal hearings in Los Angeles supported by the Mono Lake Committee in Lee Vining led to a compromise.

Since 1994 the lake level has risen three metres, and the California gulls breed again at Mono Lake. More than 100 species of migratory birds stop over at Mono Lake.

More information about Mono Lake

Detailed Data

Contact