Sierra Nevada - Mono Lake
NASA Space Shuttle picture of Mono County area

I've visited Mono Lake several times over the years as shown by the pictures below and drive by it frequently.

Nestled at the edge of the arid Great Basin and the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains in California, Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake that covers over 70 square miles and supports a unique and productive ecosystem.

The lake has no fish; instead it is home to trillions of brine shrimp and alkali flies. Freshwater streams feed Mono Lake, supporting lush riparian forests of cottonwood and willow along their banks.

Along the lakeshore, scenic limestone formations known as tufa towers rise from the water's surface. Millions of migratory birds visit the lake each year.

From 1941 until 1990, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) diverted excessive amounts of water from Mono Basin streams. Mono Lake dropped 45 vertical feet, lost half its volume, and doubled in salinity.

The Mono Lake Committee, founded in 1978, led the fight to save the lake with cooperative solutions. They continue their protection, restoration, and education efforts today with the support of 16,000 members.

In 1994, after over a decade of litigation, the California State Water Resources Control Board ordered DWP to allow Mono Lake to rise to a healthy level of 6,392 feet above sea level--twenty feet above its historic low.

It is rising toward that goal. Read about The Mono Lake Story and view many pictures here.


Mono Lake from top of Mt. Dana - Sep 1962
Mono Lake from top of Mt. Dana - Sep 1962
Mono Lake from Conway Summit on U.S. 395 - Dec 1970
Mono Lake from Conway Summit on U.S. 395 - Dec 1970

Mono Lake from Conway Summit on U.S. 395 - Dec 1970
Mono Lake from Conway Summit on U.S. 395 - Dec 1970
Mono Craters from near Mono Lake - Jan 1971
Mono Craters from near Mono Lake - Jan 1971

Mono Craters from near Mono Lake - Jan 1971
Mono Craters from near Mono Lake - Jan 1971
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - Dec 1960
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - Dec 1960

Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - Dec 1960
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - Dec 1960
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968

Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968

Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968
Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968
David and Steve Henderson checking out the Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968
David and Steve Henderson checking out the Tufa Towers, Mono Lake - May 1968

California Gulls on Mono Lake - Aug 1959
California Gulls on Mono Lake - Aug 1959