The WHSRN Executive Office is thrilled to announce that Owens Lake has been designated as a WHSRN site of International Importance — the 104th site in the Network, and the 49th site in the United States. Once a large shallow saline lake spanning 70,400 acres (28,490 hectares) at its historic high stand, Owens Lake was left virtually dry by 1926 with completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Intense winds blowing across the exposed playa resulted in alkali dust storms that were the largest source of dust pollution in the United States.
Left: Sandpipers roosting on riprap. Photo: Deborah House. Right: T-30-1 constructed islands and wetlands. Photo: Ray Ramirez.
In 2000, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) began the process of implementing a variety of dust mitigation measures on 31,100 acres of the lake bed. In only a few years, the network of shallow-flooding dust control ponds, non-tidal mudflats, and islands provided by water-based dust control measures proved to be ideal for wildlife – especially shorebirds.
Owens Lake now supports more than 100,000 shorebirds annually, thus qualifying as a WHSRN site of International Importance. This large concentration of shorebirds includes more than 1% of the global populations of American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) and Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), and 1% of the Interior/Gulf coast population of Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus).
The snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada provide a unique backdrop to more than 100,000 shorebirds annually. Photo: Kerry Wilcox.
Rob Clay, Director of the WHSRN Executive Office, commented that “designation of Owens Lake as a WHSRN site is testament to the success of the Los Angeles Owens Lake Dust Control Project, which has not only improved air quality in Lone Pine, but has restored critical habitats for shorebirds and other waterbird species, demonstrating how human welfare and biodiversity conservation are intrinsically linked.”
The nomination was prepared and submitted by Michael Prather of Eastern Sierra Audubon, with the support of the California State Lands Commission and the LADWP. Key stakeholders at the lake, including Eastern Sierra Audubon, California Audubon, California State Lands Commission, California Fish and Wildlife Department, and LADWP, have joined forces to develop a management plan that will assure the continuing support of this vital habitat. In addition, in recent years partners have worked together to improve access with trails and observation areas which allows people to visit and enjoy wildlife. The improved access will form a stronger connection to this landscape and to shorebirds.
Left: Visitor’s Plaza at Sunrise. Photo: Ray Ramirez. Right: Birding the dust control ponds. Photo: Mike Prather.
Please join us in welcoming Owens Lake and its partners to the Network!
