Mono Lake is a fascinating saline lake in Eastern California, found east of Yosemite and south of Lake Tahoe. The prehistoric lake is at least 760,000 years old, occupying an ancient basin that began forming 2.5 million years ago.
From its unusual buoyancy to the unmistakable tufa towers rising above the glassy surface, Mono Lake is the site of numerous fascinating phenomena that reveal much about California’s prehistoric geography.
Mono Lake composition and tufa towers
Mono Lake is found between volcanic craters and ancient islands in an endorheic basin, meaning that it has no natural outlet. As a result, all incoming water to the lake either evaporates or seeps into the ground, causing high concentrations of salts and minerals over time.
With a pH near 10 and highly alkaline and saline water, only specialized life forms can survive in Mono Lake, such as brine shrimp and alkali flies. These, in turn, feed two million migratory and nesting birds throughout the lake area.
Mono Lake is especially famous for its tufa towers, which are formed when calcium-rich underwater springs interact with the lake’s alkaline water. The reaction produces calcium carbonate (limestone) deposits, which build up under the surface of the water over centuries.
When the city of Los Angeles began diverting water from nearby freshwater streams in 1941, it lowered the lake’s water level, revealing the tufa towers. When exposed, tufa towers stop growing and begin to erode, but subsequent conservation efforts have preserved both Mono Lake’s tufa towers and birds habitat.
Visiting Mono Lake
The best way to see Mono Lake’s tufa towers is in the South Tufa Area, which has boardwalks and trails that take you up close to the remarkable formations. The flat, one-mile trail is self-guided, but you can also take a guided walk with a naturalist to learn more about the lake’s unique geology.
Swimming in Mono Lake is allowed, and many visitors are drawn to the lake for an unusually buoyant sensation reminiscent of the Dead Sea. The water is almost three times saltier than the ocean, making floating effortless. The most popular entry point is Navy Beach on the south side.
🌐 Learn more: MonoLake.org