The Owens Lake Drama

Once upon a time, there was a large beautiful lake in the Eastern Sierras, 110 square miles of water. Steamboats plied its waters. However, millions of thirsty people in Los Angeles wanted the water that fed the lake. So, with Teddy Roosevelt's approval, they took it.


The lake dried up. Dust storms blew through the valley, the locals got mad, filed a lawsuit, and won! Los Angeles will not give back the water, but will spend a billion dollars to stop the dust storms. How?


Phase one is to water the lake bed just enough to make hard mud, which resists the wind.


Phase two is to plant a tough grass that will eventually cover all 110 square miles. Thirty-one are already green. The dust storms have stopped.


We two curious travelers spent a night at lake's edge to feel the drama. This hot pool was once the focus of a lakeside spa, then later the washtub of grimy mine workers, hence its name "Dirty Socks."

We were surprised that 8 people came just to look into this pool; however, no one went into it. With the pool covered in algae, certainly understandable.