Mono Lake dropped 0.08 feet this past week and currently is at the low point for the year: 6382.07′. This was a bit unexpected, considering the cold and wet weather we’ve had this past week. But it wasn’t that wet and it was very cold. It does make sense, since inflow from Rush Creek is the lowest in decades. Also, the extreme cold weather has turned liquid into solid, resulting in a reduced inflow to Mono Lake–because solid doesn’t flow!

If the lake drops any more at all, it is off the gauge–and we wouldn’t know the level until (more…)

This morning dawned frosty and clear on a rising Mono Lake. Today’s elevation is 6382.19 feet above sea level. This is about a tenth of a foot higher than it was a month ago, when it reached its lowest point for the year.

This seems to answer the question posed today in an email, “Do you really think it’s reached it’s lowest point of the winter and that it won’t continue to drop again till we get significant snow?” But a drop this month isn’t impossible… (more…)

I just got back from reading the lake level gauge at Old Marina, and Mono Lake has started rising! It reached its low point for the year around November 1st, at 6382.10 feet above sea level. Since then it has risen 0.04 feet to 6382.14 feet above sea level.

Lee Vining received slightly above median (but below average) precipitation in October. So far for November, (more…)