Owens Lake: Difference between revisions
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{{Image|1024px-Blowing-alkali-dust-Owens-Lake.jpg|left|300px|Blowing dust at Owens Lake, California.}} | {{Image|1024px-Blowing-alkali-dust-Owens-Lake.jpg|left|300px|Blowing dust at Owens Lake, California.}} | ||
'''Owens Lake''' (located in [[Inyo County]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]]) once was almost as large as [[Lake Tahoe]] in surface area. | '''Owens Lake''' (located in [[Inyo County]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]]) once was almost as large as [[Lake Tahoe]] in surface area. | ||
[[Charcoal kilns]], steamers, a flyway for [[migratory]] birds, and local agriculture were once located at this desert lake. | [[Charcoal kilns]], steamers, a flyway for [[migratory]] birds, and local agriculture were once located at this desert lake. | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
The Owens Valley, where Owens Lake is located, is part of the westernmost [[graben]] of the Basin and Range province where two almost vertical faults. To the west is the [[Sierra Nevada]] range while the [[Inyo-White mountains]] are located to the east. Formation of the valley began approximately 3 million years ago during the [[Pliocene]] period. | The Owens Valley, where Owens Lake is located, is part of the westernmost [[graben]]<ref>'''Note''': A graben is an elongated depression between geologic faults.</ref> of the Basin and Range province where two almost vertical faults. To the west is the [[Sierra Nevada]] range while the [[Inyo-White mountains]] are located to the east. Formation of the valley began approximately 3 million years ago during the [[Pliocene]] period. | ||
The area is seismically active and an estimated 8.0 earthquake in 1872 in[[ Lone Pine]], California killed 23 people. Most of the buildings in Lone Pine were also destroyed. [[Volcanic]] activity is also reported in the area as the Owens Valley is part of the [[Long Valley Caldera]]. Volcanic eruptions of the [[Inyo Chain]] were reported as early as 600 years ago. <ref name= | The area is seismically active and an estimated 8.0 earthquake in 1872 in[[ Lone Pine]], California killed 23 people. Most of the buildings in Lone Pine were also destroyed. [[Volcanic]] activity is also reported in the area as the Owens Valley is part of the [[Long Valley Caldera]]. Volcanic eruptions of the [[Inyo Chain]] were reported as early as 600 years ago.<ref name=Nature.NPS>[http://www.nature.nps.gov/GEOLOGY/inventory/publications/s_summaries/MANZ_scoping_summary_20041027.pdf Manzanar National Historic Site Geological Resources Management Issues Scoping Summary] From [[National Park Service]] website. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.</ref> | ||
[[John C. Fremont]] explored the area and named the lake after his associate Richard Owens. Native Americans who lived in the area included the [[Paiute]], [[Mojave]] and [[Shoshone]] tribes. By the 1860s settlers moved into the Owens Lake area. Silver miners moved to the area when silver was discovered at [[Cerro Gordo]] located in mountains east of Owens Lake. Cerro Gordo is considered a ghost town and is open to tourists. | [[John C. Fremont]] explored the area and named the lake after his associate Richard Owens. Native Americans who lived in the area included the [[Paiute]], [[Mojave]] and [[Shoshone]] tribes. By the 1860s settlers moved into the Owens Lake area. Silver miners moved to the area when silver was discovered at [[Cerro Gordo]] located in mountains east of Owens Lake. Cerro Gordo is considered a ghost town and is open to tourists. | ||
Farming soon followed after the early settlers arrived in the area. [[Wheat]], [[potatoes]], [[apples]], [[corn]] and[[ grapes]] were being grown in the area in 1910. 43,000 [[sheep]] were also raised by local farmers.<ref name= | Farming soon followed after the early settlers arrived in the area. [[Wheat]], [[potatoes]], [[apples]], [[corn]] and[[ grapes]] were being grown in the area in 1910. 43,000 [[sheep]] were also raised by local farmers.<ref name=OwensValleyHistory>[http://www.owensvalleyhistory.com/stories3/chronological_history_ov.pdf Chronological History of Owens Valley] Retrieved on 2011-01-3.</ref> | ||
Logging and a sawmill was built by [[Colonel Sherman Stevens]] in the 1870s. Lumber was used to build Stevens Wharf at Owens Lake. The wharf was built on the west side of the lake where the lumber was loaded onto steamers. The lumber was then ferried across the lake where it was unloaded onto a[[ dock]].It was then loaded onto [[freight]] wagons, then taken to local mines. | Logging and a sawmill was built by [[Colonel Sherman Stevens]] in the 1870s. Lumber was used to build Stevens Wharf at Owens Lake. The wharf was built on the west side of the lake where the lumber was loaded onto steamers. The lumber was then ferried across the lake where it was unloaded onto a[[ dock]].It was then loaded onto [[freight]] wagons, then taken to local mines. | ||
Stevens also built a pair of [[adobe]] ovens that produced [[charcoal]] for the Cerro Gordo mines. | Stevens also built a pair of [[adobe]] ovens that produced [[charcoal]] for the Cerro Gordo mines. | ||
The [[steamers]] Molly Stevens and Bessie Brady were used to carry ore from the mines to waiting freight wagons. The ore was shipped down to [[Los Angeles]]. <ref name= | The [[steamers]] Molly Stevens and Bessie Brady were used to carry ore from the mines to waiting freight wagons. The ore was shipped down to [[Los Angeles]].<ref name=OwensValleyHistory/><ref name=LahontanValleyNews>[http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20090523/NEWS/905239962 Finding reminders of Owens Lake’s rich history] From website of the Lahontan Valley News. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.</ref> | ||
== Water for Los Angeles == | == Water for Los Angeles == | ||
The City of Los Angeles buys up water rights between 1905 and 1907. Congressional funding was appropriated to pay for the proposed aqueduct project. Between 1910 and 1913 the Los Angeles aqueduct is built. On November 5, 1913, in the [[San Fernando Valley]] at the “Cascades” 30,000 Los Angeles residents gathered to celebrate the opening of the Los Angeles aqueduct. Bottles of Owens Valley water were distributed, speeches were made, and the aqueduct gates were opened. Water trickled forth.<ref name= | The City of Los Angeles buys up water rights between 1905 and 1907. Congressional funding was appropriated to pay for the proposed aqueduct project. Between 1910 and 1913 the Los Angeles aqueduct is built. On November 5, 1913, in the [[San Fernando Valley]] at the “Cascades” 30,000 Los Angeles residents gathered to celebrate the opening of the Los Angeles aqueduct. Bottles of Owens Valley water were distributed, speeches were made, and the aqueduct gates were opened. Water trickled forth.<ref name=PlatformAltar>[http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/historyoflaa/altar.htm This Rude Platform is an Altar] From website of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Retrieved on 2011-02-0.</ref> | ||
By 1970 a second [[aqueduct]] was completed after the[[ U.S. Supreme Court]] allocated more [[Colorado River]] rights to [[Arizona]] leaving Los Angeles searching for more water sources. The newly built aqueduct ran from the [[Haiwee]], California reservoir just south of the Owens Lake dry river bed. After the construction of the second aqueduct, 70 percent of Los Angeles' water came from the Owens Valley area.<ref name=LATimes>[http://articles.latimes.com/2001/nov/18/local/me-5642 New Era for Old Foes in Water Wars] From website of the [[Los Angeles Times]]. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.</ref> | |||
By 1970 a second [[aqueduct]] was completed after the[[ U.S. Supreme Court]] allocated more [[Colorado River]] rights to [[Arizona]] leaving Los Angeles searching for more water sources. The newly built aqueduct ran from the [[Haiwee]], California reservoir just south of the Owens Lake dry river bed. After the construction of the second aqueduct, 70 percent of Los Angeles' water came from the Owens Valley area.<ref name= | |||
== Air pollution == | == Air pollution == | ||
The lake emitted an estimated 79,200 tons per year of PM-10 ([[particulate matter]] 10 microns or less<ref name=PM10>[http://gbuapcd.org/pm10.htm Particulate Air Pollution: A Threat To Our Health] From website of the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPD). Retrieved on2011-01-31.</ref> according to a [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) study done between July 2000 through June 2001.<ref name="urlwww.epa.gov">{{cite web | |||
The lake emitted an estimated 79,200 tons per year of PM-10 ([[particulate matter]] 10 microns or less<ref name= | |||
|url=http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/conference/ei12/fugdust/present/ono.pdf | |url=http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/conference/ei12/fugdust/present/ono.pdf | ||
|title=www.epa.gov | |title=www.epa.gov | ||
Revision as of 01:16, 2 February 2011
Owens Lake (located in Inyo County, California, USA) once was almost as large as Lake Tahoe in surface area. Charcoal kilns, steamers, a flyway for migratory birds, and local agriculture were once located at this desert lake. Today, Owens Lake is mostly a dry lake bed with patches of small water deposits. This drastic change happened in 1913, after the lower Owens River was diverted by an aqueduct serving as a water supply for Los Angeles and created one of the largest man-made sources of air pollution by dust (particulate matter).
History
The Owens Valley, where Owens Lake is located, is part of the westernmost graben[1] of the Basin and Range province where two almost vertical faults. To the west is the Sierra Nevada range while the Inyo-White mountains are located to the east. Formation of the valley began approximately 3 million years ago during the Pliocene period.
The area is seismically active and an estimated 8.0 earthquake in 1872 inLone Pine, California killed 23 people. Most of the buildings in Lone Pine were also destroyed. Volcanic activity is also reported in the area as the Owens Valley is part of the Long Valley Caldera. Volcanic eruptions of the Inyo Chain were reported as early as 600 years ago.[2]
John C. Fremont explored the area and named the lake after his associate Richard Owens. Native Americans who lived in the area included the Paiute, Mojave and Shoshone tribes. By the 1860s settlers moved into the Owens Lake area. Silver miners moved to the area when silver was discovered at Cerro Gordo located in mountains east of Owens Lake. Cerro Gordo is considered a ghost town and is open to tourists.
Farming soon followed after the early settlers arrived in the area. Wheat, potatoes, apples, corn andgrapes were being grown in the area in 1910. 43,000 sheep were also raised by local farmers.[3] Logging and a sawmill was built by Colonel Sherman Stevens in the 1870s. Lumber was used to build Stevens Wharf at Owens Lake. The wharf was built on the west side of the lake where the lumber was loaded onto steamers. The lumber was then ferried across the lake where it was unloaded onto adock.It was then loaded onto freight wagons, then taken to local mines.
Stevens also built a pair of adobe ovens that produced charcoal for the Cerro Gordo mines. The steamers Molly Stevens and Bessie Brady were used to carry ore from the mines to waiting freight wagons. The ore was shipped down to Los Angeles.[3][4]
Water for Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles buys up water rights between 1905 and 1907. Congressional funding was appropriated to pay for the proposed aqueduct project. Between 1910 and 1913 the Los Angeles aqueduct is built. On November 5, 1913, in the San Fernando Valley at the “Cascades” 30,000 Los Angeles residents gathered to celebrate the opening of the Los Angeles aqueduct. Bottles of Owens Valley water were distributed, speeches were made, and the aqueduct gates were opened. Water trickled forth.[5]
By 1970 a second aqueduct was completed after theU.S. Supreme Court allocated more Colorado River rights to Arizona leaving Los Angeles searching for more water sources. The newly built aqueduct ran from the Haiwee, California reservoir just south of the Owens Lake dry river bed. After the construction of the second aqueduct, 70 percent of Los Angeles' water came from the Owens Valley area.[6]
Air pollution
The lake emitted an estimated 79,200 tons per year of PM-10 (particulate matter 10 microns or less[7] according to a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study done between July 2000 through June 2001.[8] That is equivalent to an average of 217 tons per day. During that test period, a peak value of 7,200 tons per day was encountered.
“Owens Lake is the largest single source of PM-10 in the United States,” states theGreat Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District.[9]The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Federal Register state that Owens Lake is in noncompliance with established air quality standards.[10] [11] The blowing sand and PM 10 air pollution has affected approximately 40,000 residents living near Owens Lake. Regionally the blowing dust and sand has affected United States Forest service employees and the navy base located atChina Lake.[12] Nearby residents in Keeler, California reportedly are exposed to 25 unhealthful days a year while residents in Ridgecrest experience 10 unhealthful days per year due to the PM 10 air pollution. (Ridgecrest) Dr. Bruce Parker says "‘When we see the white cloud headed down through the pass, the ER and doctors' offices fill up with people who suddenly got worse. It's a pretty straightforward cause and effect.”[9]
As of 2006, PM 10 emissions and blowing dust were somewhat quelled after theLos Angeles Department of Water and Power allowed water to return to small sections of the lake and tributaries. Irrigation pipes andbubblers will help water 13 1/2 miles of lake bed. Salt grass will also be planted to help alleviate the blowing dust and associated air pollution.[13] As of 2008, the Owens Valley Planning Area, did not attain the 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter of 10 microns or less (PM10) by December 31, 2006, as mandated by the United States Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA).[14]
References
- ↑ Note: A graben is an elongated depression between geologic faults.
- ↑ Manzanar National Historic Site Geological Resources Management Issues Scoping Summary From National Park Service website. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chronological History of Owens Valley Retrieved on 2011-01-3.
- ↑ Finding reminders of Owens Lake’s rich history From website of the Lahontan Valley News. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ This Rude Platform is an Altar From website of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Retrieved on 2011-02-0.
- ↑ New Era for Old Foes in Water Wars From website of the Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ Particulate Air Pollution: A Threat To Our Health From website of the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPD). Retrieved on2011-01-31.
- ↑ www.epa.gov. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Survey of Reported Health Effects of Owens Lake Particulate Matter. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ EPA: Federal Register: Findings of Failure To Attain; State of Arizona, Phoenix Nonattainment Area; State of California, Owens Valley Nonattainment Area; Particulate Matter of 10 Microns or Less. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ Owens (Dry) Lake, California. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ History - Owens Valley Particulate Matter Plan | Region 9: Air | US EPA. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ New Era for Old Foes in Water Wars - Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
- ↑ Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD): Air Quality Plans. Retrieved on 2011-01-31.