Mono Basin water exports by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) reached—and then exceeded—the 4,500 acre-foot level this week, a surprise given Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s decision to hold exports at the same 4,500 acre-foot level as last year. DWP has not yet responded to multiple Mono Lake Committee inquiries about the over-export of water.
Exports began in October as scheduled in the DWP Annual Operations Plan, which also states: “Planned export is 4,500 acre-feet.” DWP conducts exports by moving diverted streamflow from Grant Lake Reservoir through the Mono Craters Tunnel.
On Wednesday, November 27, exports are continuing without change. Water is flowing out of the Mono Basin and away from Mono Lake at the rate of one acre-foot every 20 minutes, adding up to about 80 acre-feet per day.
The Mono Lake Committee is investigating why DWP is not honoring the export commitment. DWP’s operations plan left an opening to meet and revise the export plan if circumstances changed, however no meeting has taken place and there is no sign of changed expectations among Los Angeles leadership. Nor has the State Water Board received notice of an operations plan change.
The commitment made by Mayor Bass to not increasing diversions this year is important recognition of the need for action to help Mono Lake rise to its mandated healthy management level. DWP’s export activities to the contrary are unexpected. Stay tuned for updates.
Top photo by Andrew Youssef.