Los Angeles Refuses to Reduce Water Consumption from Mono Lake in Dry Winter
In a surprising turn of events, Los Angeles has decided to take the majority, if not all, of its water allocation from Mono Lake until March, disappointing local environmentalists and conservation experts. The decision comes as a blow to those who have been working tirelessly to restore the iconic alpine lake for decades.
The Department of Water and Power in Los Angeles had hinted last spring that it might significantly decrease the amount of water taken from Mono Lake, a move that raised hopes for a more sustainable future for the lake. Since 1941, the Eastern Sierra lake has been a crucial water source for the city, with the DWP diverting its tributaries to supply water to the taps of Los Angeles residents.
Known for its unique tufa rock formations, migratory birds, and stunning backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Mono Lake has been at the center of environmental battles for over 80 years, involving the city, conservationists, and the local Kutzadika’a tribe.
Over the decades, surface levels of Mono Lake have dwindled due to the city’s aqueduct, reaching historic lows in the 1980s and increasing the salinity of the lake, endangering the small brine shrimp that are a vital food source for birds.
In a bid to restore the lake’s surface to a height of 6,392 feet, a state-mandated goal set in 1994, the DWP proposed in May to take only 4,500 acre-feet of water from the lake’s tributaries until March 2025, a significant reduction from the maximum allocation of 16,000 acre-feet.
However, by the end of November, the city had already exceeded the proposed limit, extracting over 8,545 acre-feet by January 29, according to live tracking data from the Mono Lake Committee. At this rate, Los Angeles is on track to deplete a significant portion of its total allocation by the end of March, the start of a new hydrological year.
Geoff McQuilkin, executive director of the Mono Lake Committee, expressed disappointment at the city’s decision, emphasizing that the initial reduction in water diversion was a voluntary action aimed at demonstrating collaboration and environmental stewardship.
Adam Pérez, the DWP’s Aqueduct Manager, cited a dry autumn and winter as contributing factors to the decision to maintain water extraction levels from Mono Lake, emphasizing the city’s need to maximize water supplies from the Eastern Sierra to serve its population efficiently.
While the water from Mono Lake represents only a small fraction of Los Angeles’ overall water supply, it plays a crucial role in the city’s water portfolio, providing a cost-effective source compared to imported water from other regions.
Despite calls from environmentalists and experts to reconsider the city’s reliance on Mono Lake water, Pérez highlighted the importance of this source for both environmental preservation and the city’s water security.
The ongoing debate over water resources in California has been further fueled by claims made by President Donald Trump regarding environmental regulations impacting water availability for firefighting efforts. However, experts have refuted these claims, emphasizing the localized nature of water supply challenges during recent wildfires.
As California grapples with the impacts of climate change, including more frequent droughts and warmer winters, the management of water resources, such as those from Mono Lake, requires a careful balance between human needs and environmental sustainability.
With ongoing discussions and public hearings planned by the State Water Resources Control Board, the future of water allocation from Mono Lake remains a topic of critical importance for the region’s ecological health and water security.
As Los Angeles continues to diversify its water sources and enhance water recycling efforts, the decision regarding Mono Lake’s water allocation reflects a broader shift towards sustainable water management practices in the face of a changing climate. The city’s ability to adapt and prioritize water conservation will be crucial in ensuring a resilient and sustainable water future for all residents.
