Owens Valley, Rift valley between Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountains in California, United States.
The valley extends across eastern California at 4,000 feet elevation, featuring high desert terrain surrounded by snow-capped mountain ranges and arid landscapes.
The Los Angeles Department of Water Power diverted water from Owens River in the early 1900s, leading to the drying of Owens Lake by 1926.
The Timbisha and Mono tribes originally inhabited different sections of the valley, maintaining trade networks with coastal populations through mountain passes.
The valley contains four distinct ecoregions with varied wildlife, including a managed population of 490 tule elk introduced to the region in 1933.
The Owens Valley Radio Observatory operates as part of the Very Long Baseline Array, conducting astronomical research in this remote location.
Location: California
GPS coordinates: 36.80250,-118.19972
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:19
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