It happened after record rains. Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. But suddenly you have billions of liters of water. It has been completely transformed. How long will the lake that emerged in Death Valley last?
a new lake
Badwater Basin is at the bottom of Death Valley. It is the vestige of an ancient lake that existed tens of thousands of years ago. Typically, we only get an average of 2 inches of rain per year. But in the last six months, the valley floor has received almost 5 inches. Rain usually evaporates very quickly. But the billions of liters of water are now a lake almost 10 kilometers long and five kilometers wide. It is known as Lake Manly.
An impressive series of satellite images captured by NASA demonstrate this. They contrast the desert basin before and after the recent rains. It was 30 centimeters deep. It is enough for kayaking.
The last time the basin was filled with such a permanent body of water was about two decades ago. Tourists have wasted no time and are making the most of this extraordinary event. They kayak and set up beach chairs. Children bathe in the water.
Ephemeral
The experience is expected to be short-lived. The lake that emerged in Death Valley will allow kayaking for only a few weeks. At least a small amount of water is likely to remain in the basin. It will offer photographers and visitors some very unique images until at least April.
At sunset you can see the beautiful reflections of the mountains that surround the lake. There is snow on the tops of the mountains. “It doesn't feel like you're in Death Valley,” the tourists add.
