Mono Basin, Endorheic basin in California, United States
Mono Basin is an endorheic basin in eastern California where Mono Lake sits at 6378 feet elevation surrounded by high desert landscape. The lake contains highly saline water that remains in the basin rather than flowing to the ocean.
Native American tribes including the Mono and Owens Valley Paiute lived in this region for thousands of years before European contact. Water extraction for Los Angeles in the 20th century caused the lake level to drop significantly.
The declining water levels of Mono Lake in the 1970s sparked environmental movements that changed water management practices in California.
Access the basin via US Route 395 which runs along its western edge with several pullouts and viewpoints. Spring through fall offers the most comfortable visiting conditions, while the exposed terrain provides little shade during midday heat.
The lake water reaches a pH level near 10, making it one of the most alkaline lakes in North America and supporting only specialized organisms like brine shrimp and alkali fly larvae. This extreme environment allows few species to survive but those that do create a unique food web.
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