Field technician stands knee deep in a stream with a tall instrument that he is holding vertically in the stream with a long measuring tape going from across the stream bank, and there are green grasses and willows and rushing water.

Vorster Center for Mono Basin Hydrology

Field technician stands knee deep in a stream with a tall instrument that he is holding vertically in the stream with a long measuring tape going from across the stream bank, and there are green grasses and willows and rushing water.
The Mono Lake Committee has pursued the best scientific knowledge of Mono Basin hydrology for over 40 years.

In an era of climate change and evolving resource management decision making the Committee recognizes the need for a center dedicated to the further advancement of Mono Basin hydrology study now and for the future.

A person stands on a bluff overlooking a wide stream system with water flowing and green vegetation below and snow-capped mountains in the distance and he has a wildlife camera in his hand and is pointing to a place off in the distance.

The Vorster Center

The Vorster Center for Mono Basin Hydrology at the Mono Lake Committee is the science and research hub for data collection, modeling, analysis, forecasting, and real-world application of Mono Lake and Mono Basin hydrology. The Vorster Center is not a physical space, rather a collaboration of research, science, and ideas.

Why it is needed

Two people at a creek, one person standing in it with a measuring instrument and the other is standing on the stream bank recording data.

Hydrology is essential to understanding Mono Lake and its tributary streams and is critical to planning and implementing their protection and restoration. Policy makers and water resource managers regularly rely on the Committee’s expertise, predictive modeling, and data repositories to make decisions critical to the health of Mono Lake.

What it does

The Vorster Center allows the Committee to increase capacity, pursue emerging questions, engage more individuals and institutions, use new tools, share findings, and better leverage hydrology knowledge to generate science-based policy to protect and restore Mono Lake.

A special focus of the Vorster Center is critical modeling questions about the time needed to achieve the State Water Board-mandated lake level and the long-term impacts of climate change in the watershed.

Two people kneel at the shore of Mono Lake and look out, one with binoculars, at a lake level gauge just off shore, with a glassy blue lake and snow-capped mountains in the background.
A man, Peter Vorster, in a sun hat and sunglasses stands in a field gesticulating with his hands while speaking.

About Peter Vorster

The Vorster Center is named in honor and recognition of Peter Vorster, hydrologist and hydrogeographer whose tireless commitment to California’s water resources has made him an essential figure in the successful effort to win protections for Mono Lake and its tributary streams. The Vorster Center was created through the generosity of the Mono Lake lawyers, friends, and donors who value Peter’s ongoing work and dedicated service to Mono Lake and continues with donations from individuals like you.

Support the Vorster Center

If you have questions about the Vorster Center or would like to contribute to support it, please contact Philanthropy Director Anna Christensen by email or at (760) 647-6595 x112.

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