I have to write in English. My PC keyboard with Japanese has still problem.
Mono Lake is ancient volcanic lake, one of the oldest in US continent.
It has unique beauty with backgroud of High Sierra in snow and special Tufa formation.
Current size of lake is half of the original.
Mono Lake was under controversial water battle since 1941.
City of Los Angeles acquired water rights and re-deirected water source to acquduct, minimizing Mono Lake water inlet.
Water level decrease are shown by standing Tufa tower which were supposed to be under water, more than 12 meter below.
City of Los Angeles's water project dried up Owens Valley and resulted Manzanar's desolation and utilization as japanese people's war time relocation camp. But largest was this Mono Lake water project.
Save the Mono lake campaign resulted supreme court decision to save Mono in 1983, but actual projject was started after 1991. Once islands of Mono and Birds sanctuary became not safe place after water dried up, but in near future, birds heaven as islands might come back. (Information by California Rough Guide).
Route 395 has many beautiful exits to explore beauty of Sierra Nevada East.
Yosemite through Tioga Pass is one thing. Mono Lake visit is another. And then we have June Lake loop, Mammoth lakes, and other beautiful canyons and lakes.
S. Murata 04/01/2012
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