The Mono Lake and Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains Gallery

Mono Lake Sunrise, Western Tufa	Mono Lake Sunset, Northern Tufa
Aspens, Rock Creek Canyon	Mono Lake Sunrise and Venus

Mono Lake Tufa Preserve, California

Mono Lake is an ancient salt lake in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Until its freshwater supplies were diverted for urban use about 50 years ago, the high salt content remained fairly stable, and a simple, but thriving ecosystem evolved. The water level dropped about 40 feet, with an all-time low reached in 1992, while the salt content doubled, exposing the strange and delicate Tufa formations that the preserve is known for. Although tolerant of high salt content, the highly adapted organisms of the lake's ecosystem had reached their limits, and a complete collapse of the ecosystem was imminent. Many other environmental problems occurred as well. Salt deposits left dry on the shores were whipped up by winds and were affecting local residents. A land bridge formed to one of the volcanic islands on the lake, allowing predators access to vital bird nesting sites. The delicate Tufa formations were collapsing. Concerted efforts by many organizations and individuals resulted in a last-minute management plan that will again allow vital freshwater sources to replenish the lake's natural water losses, and allowing the water level to rise at least part of way back to its original depth. At this time, the level has risen a small, but noticeable amount, reclaiming some of the shoreline and the lower edges of some Tufa formations.

Mono Lake's simple ecosystem consists of algae, brine shrimp, brine flies (which do not bother humans!) and birds. Other wildlife and vegetation typical of the region thrives in the basin as well. The Tufa formations are the result of springs under the lake bed bubbling up freshwater with a high calcium content into the lake, which then reacts with the salts in the lake's water, and forming calcium carbonate structures of weird and wondrous shapes.

The images presented here were photographed October 11-13,1996, during a gathering of about 25 nature photographers acquainted with one another through the Nature Photography Folder in America Online's Photography Forum.

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Copyright © 1996 Optiques Classic Photographic Imagery
Last modified: June 24, 1997