GNF - Data Mono Lake
 

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

none

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