Owens Lake Watershed

LORP Coordination

The recent settlement of the Owens Lake dust issue will involve the Lower Owens River restoration in terms of water delivery via wetlands in the Delta, operation of the pumpback facility, and overall watershed management.  To ensure that management is consistent, coordination with groundwater pumping and water distribution will be an on-going activity.

Spring & Seep Habitat Management

Groundwater pumping on the dry lakebed could have some effect of springs and seeps located on the margins of the lake.  Most of these springs and seeps have been included in the inventory conducted for the LORP.  Coordinated management with river and lake springs and seeps will be required as dust control efforts progress.

Wetland Management

The Delta region of the lake is the point at which the Lower Owens River flows into the lake.  There is an existing wetland in the Delta over 900 acres in size.  Additional wetland development and management will be associated with areas receiving water for dust control.  New wetland areas need to be managed in context with the other sub-watersheds.