Death Valley's Fabled Lake Manly Reappears After Record-Breaking Rains
In a dramatic turnaround, the ancient lake that once covered nearly 100 miles in Death Valley National Park has reemerged from the depths of Badwater Basin. The phenomenon occurred after an onslaught of record-breaking rains that pounded the park from September to November, transforming the normally arid landscape into a temporary watercourse.
The lake's reappearance is a rare sight, one that scientists say holds significant clues about the region's geological and environmental history. According to experts, the basin was once part of a massive valley lake that existed between 128,000 and 186,000 years ago. At that time, glaciers covering the Sierra Nevada fed rivers into Lake Manly, which eventually drained into Badwater Basin.
The recent deluge, however, has brought life back to this desolate landscape. While it's smaller and shallower than the one seen two years ago after Hurricane Hilary, its appearance offers a glimpse into what Death Valley might have looked like millennia ago. Visitors can once again see how the desert's unique features – such as Badwater Basin's 282-foot below sea level – would have influenced the region's ancient ecosystem.
The floods that brought Lake Manly back to life have also raised concerns about broader environmental shifts taking place in Death Valley. Rising temperatures, which reached a scorching 128F (53.3C) in July 2023, have prompted worries about the impact on native plants, birds, and wildlife. The extreme heat has also drawn "heat tourists" to experience the conditions firsthand, straining the park's resources.
Just two months ago, Death Valley received more precipitation than it usually does in an entire year – 2.41in of rain from September to November, with November alone accounting for 1.76in. The park's 1923 record of 1.7in was shattered by these recent rains, highlighting the increasing variability and unpredictability of the region's climate.
While it remains too early to predict whether this year's conditions will lead to another stunning display of wildflowers, one thing is clear: Death Valley's unique geography and climate make it a fascinating – and sometimes treacherous – destination.
In a dramatic turnaround, the ancient lake that once covered nearly 100 miles in Death Valley National Park has reemerged from the depths of Badwater Basin. The phenomenon occurred after an onslaught of record-breaking rains that pounded the park from September to November, transforming the normally arid landscape into a temporary watercourse.
The lake's reappearance is a rare sight, one that scientists say holds significant clues about the region's geological and environmental history. According to experts, the basin was once part of a massive valley lake that existed between 128,000 and 186,000 years ago. At that time, glaciers covering the Sierra Nevada fed rivers into Lake Manly, which eventually drained into Badwater Basin.
The recent deluge, however, has brought life back to this desolate landscape. While it's smaller and shallower than the one seen two years ago after Hurricane Hilary, its appearance offers a glimpse into what Death Valley might have looked like millennia ago. Visitors can once again see how the desert's unique features – such as Badwater Basin's 282-foot below sea level – would have influenced the region's ancient ecosystem.
The floods that brought Lake Manly back to life have also raised concerns about broader environmental shifts taking place in Death Valley. Rising temperatures, which reached a scorching 128F (53.3C) in July 2023, have prompted worries about the impact on native plants, birds, and wildlife. The extreme heat has also drawn "heat tourists" to experience the conditions firsthand, straining the park's resources.
Just two months ago, Death Valley received more precipitation than it usually does in an entire year – 2.41in of rain from September to November, with November alone accounting for 1.76in. The park's 1923 record of 1.7in was shattered by these recent rains, highlighting the increasing variability and unpredictability of the region's climate.
While it remains too early to predict whether this year's conditions will lead to another stunning display of wildflowers, one thing is clear: Death Valley's unique geography and climate make it a fascinating – and sometimes treacherous – destination.
?! I mean, I've seen pics of this lake from like 2 yrs ago after Hurricane Hilary, but to see it again is just crazy! It's like a whole different world out there... all lush and green 
. Scientists are stoked because they can learn so much about the area's history and how it used to be 
. But at the same time, I'm kinda worried about the impact of rising temps on the wildlife 
. It's crazy how much rain they got in like 2 months! 
2.41in is a lot, fam 
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after all these years. I remember reading about this in school like 10 yrs ago and never thought we'd see the day where its back 
. We gotta take care of our planet before it's too late 
But at the same time, it's also super concerning for the environment. All these record-breaking rains and heatwaves are making me think we're gonna see some crazy shifts in this ecosystem 
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. I get it, curiosity can be a thing... but don't they know that's just asking for trouble? 
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. Maybe we'll discover some new insights into how our planet is changing 
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i mean, who wouldn't wanna see a lake in the middle of all that sand? 
and yeah, climate change is no joke, these extreme temps are wild 
hopefully it doesn't dry up again soon
. can't wait to see the pics of ppl hiking around it, gotta be crazy hard tho w/ all that heat 
The fact that glaciers were feeding rivers into it is just mind-blowing... and now we get to see this tiny glimpse of what the desert was like back then 
. I mean we've already seen record-breaking highs in July and now they're saying it's straining the park's resources? What does that even mean for the wildlife and plants?! 
And those heat tourists... like is this really a thing now?! 
death valley is like a whole different world right now! i mean the lake reappearing after all those crazy rains is insane 
also gotta say, its kinda worrying about the heat and how it affects the wildlife... but hey at least we get to see death valley in all its crazy glory 
! I mean, who wouldn't want to see a lake appear out of nowhere in the middle of Death Valley? It's like something straight out of a movie 
. And can you believe it was caused by record-breaking rains? Like, we need more rain in our lives! 
Anyway, I'm glad scientists are getting excited about this because it's super important for understanding the region's history and how climate change is affecting the area. And let's be real, who doesn't want to experience the heat tourists are talking about? 
. scientists are super stoked about this too, cuz it's gonna give us some major clues about how the region evolved 
think about all those animals that call death valley home and how they're coping with this crazy climate change 
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I remember when we used to hear about Death Valley being the hottest place on Earth, but now it's all about the lake! It's crazy how the rain can bring life back to that desolate landscape. I'm glad scientists are getting a chance to study this phenomenon, it's like they're stepping back in time. 
I'm thinking about how crazy weather patterns can be, right? So like death valley being basically a desert but getting all this rain and suddenly having a lake form out of nowhere... it's wild 
... you know, the one where they explore these hidden gems around the world? Like, have you ever been to Yellowstone during peak season? The geysers are so intense! 
. So, Lake Manly reappearing? That's wild! But let's not forget, this is just a symptom of the bigger issue - climate change 
. I mean, 128F in July is insane! What's next, extreme weather events every week?
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... and its not even just the lake, the whole park was flooded and now they're worried about the heat tourist thing straining resources 
... i wonder if we'll ever get to see that again 