Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Mono Lake

Mono Lake viewed from the top of Sierra Nevada mountains, Photo By Ron Reiring – Wikimedia

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Mono Lake

Mono Lake is a saline soda lake lying at 6,383 feet above sea level in Mono County, California. This majestic water body covers about 65 square miles, a surface area of about 45,133 acres. It has an average depth of 57 feet with its deepest point being 159 feet.

It was formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake in an endorheic basin. An endorheic basin is a drainage basin that normally retains water and allows no outflow to other external bodies of water such as rivers or oceans.

Mono Lake is fed by streams flowing off the east side of the mountain range, including Rush Creek, Lee Vining Creek, and Mill Creek. Since it has no outlet, the only way this lake loses water is through evaporation.

Here are 10 facts about Mono Lake.

1. Tufa Towers

Tufas in Mono Lake.
Photo By Supercarwaar – Wikimedia Commons

When water evaporates, it leaves behind high levels of mineral salts and other chemicals. This is what happened in Mono Lake. Over time, its water became two times saltier than the ocean and as alkaline as chlorine bleach.

Fresh-water in-let springs pump calcium-laden water up from the lake’s bottom. Where these waters meet the salty lake water, they react to form rocks that build up over a long period. These are the tufa towers and can take many decades or centuries to form. Tufa or rock formations are some of the things that draw visitors to Mono Lake.

The Tufa were hidden underwater until the water levels at the lake went down. Today they are visible to varying degrees depending on how high the water level is. Some days they stand above the water level like odd abandoned cities.

One tufa tower is located on the west side of Mono Lake, accessible only by boat. Because of this, it’s undamaged compared to the ones that are easier to get to.

South Tufa Reserve is a common stopping point for visitors. The tufa towers here look a bit different. These are accessible, so people climb on them, hiding the delicate texture you’ll see in other tufa towers viewed from a boat.

2. Islands

Mono Lake has two large islands. These are Negit and Poaha Islands and can be seen clearly from the road.

Negit is a black volcanic rocky cone that is made up of three separate lava flows. When the lake’s volume falls below 6,375 feet, a land bridge connects Negit Island to Mono Lake’s north shore.  That bridge allows coyotes and nesting seagulls to access the island.

Poaha is a volcanic island formed through a series of eruptions. The island is within the central part of Mono Lake and is loosely shaped like an oval.

3. Brine Shrimp

Brine shrimp (Artemia monica) from Mono Lake. Photo By djpmapleferryman – Wikimedia Commons

The lake is famous for the ‘Mono Lake Brine Shrimp’ (Artemia monica). This tiny species of brine shrimp is the size of a thumbnail and is only found at this lake. During the warm months of summer, an estimated 4–6 trillion brine shrimp inhabit the lake. The brine shrimp are food for the birds while they feed on microscopic algae. Humans have no use for these shrimps

4. Bird Watcher’s Haven

Mono Lake is a vital resting and eating stop for migrating birds. Nearly 2,000,000 waterbirds, including 35 species of shorebirds, use Mono Lake to rest and eat at least once annually. With the large number of brine shrimp at the lake, there’s plenty of food for every bird.

In June bird-lovers flock to the lake for photographs, field trips, lectures, and other bird-oriented activities.

5. Alkali Flies

A bird feeding on alkali flies at Mono Lake. Photo by Daniel Mayer. – Wikimedia Commons

Mono Lake Alkali Flies (Ephydra hians) live along the shores of the lake. They walk underwater, encased in small air bubbles for grazing and to lay eggs. They thrive in the lake’s unique chemistry, making them a common sight for visitors.

During the peak of summer, millions of them settle around the lake’s edge, flying only a few inches off the ground when disturbed, like a black cloud.

6. Limestone Deposits and Salinity

The accumulation of salt in land and water to a level that damages the natural and built environment is called salinity. The salt coats the limestone rocks on the beach around the lake and covers the shore.

The lake’s minerals form white calcium carbonate deposits.  This salt-looking white substance can coat other surfaces. After a short visit, one can expect to find a thick layer of salt covering the bottoms and sides of the shoes.

7. The Mountains at The Back

Beautiful Mono Lake at Sunrise. Photo By Mikhail Kalugin – Wikimedia Commons

These mountains that lie in the background give a magnificent contrast of colours to the landscape. The lake’s waters also always seem to be a different shade of blue or green.  This two combine to make the scene beautiful and breathe taking. Mono Lake’s landscape has been a magnet for the film industry, musicians, artists, and photographers for ages.

8. Methane Bubbles

In this water body, methane bubbles are generated by thermogenic and bacterial processes beneath the seafloor. They form plumes of rising bubbles extending to the sea surface and creating bubbles on the surface. The water’s alkali content gives it a slimy, soapy texture, creating the appearance of soap bubbles.

9. The Visitor’s Center

Mono Lake’s Visitor’s Center. Photo By John Verive – Wikimedia Commons

The Visitor’s Center is a great place to start your visit to the Mono Basin. Rangers are on hand to answer questions regarding the Lake. The center features many resources to help visitors explore.

There are interpretive displays on the natural and human history of the area, a bookstore, a 20-minute film on Mono Lake, and two art galleries. The Visitor Center is located just north of Lee Vining, on highway 395, overlooking Mono Lake. 

10. The Lake’s Water

Mono Lake is naturally hypersaline and alkaline due to high concentrations of salts and minerals being left behind. With a pH of 9.8, and almost three times as salty as the ocean, its water is denser than ocean water and so it provides a delightfully buoyant swim.

It is a memorable experience to swim there because one cannot sink. Remember to keep the water out of your eyes or any cuts, as it will sting

When the water is still, it looks like oil, it is so thick and not easily disturbed. The water feels slippery to the touch and will wash grease from the hands, even when cold, more readily than common hot water and soap.  The alkaline water is very cleansing.