Something special is happening in Death Valley National Park Right now (with 2 weeks left to see it)
Something so out of the ordinary, you may only get to see it a few times in your lifetime.
Photo NPS / Kurt Moses
A massive lake has appeared in the driest place in North America
Have you ever witnessed something so out of the ordinary that it momentarily shifts your understanding of a place? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening in California's Death Valley right now. This arid, scorching hotspot is momentarily flipping the script with a large, albeit shallow, lake spanning across Badwater Basin. It's two miles wide and four miles long, quite a spectacle for the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level.
Precipitation 1 day vs. Monthly Avg.
This isn't your typical desert scene. A lake here is a headline-making event. And the cause? The remnants of Hurricane Hilary, which delivered a surprise downpour of over two inches in 24 hours. That’s a significant amount, given that Death Valley usually averages about 2.36 inches of rain a year. We're witnessing a year's worth of rainfall in one day – talk about a meteorological jackpot!
"The heavy rain that caused the devastating flooding at Death Valley was an extremely rare, 1000-year event, says Daniel Berc, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Las Vegas. “A 1000-year event doesn't mean it happens once per 1000 years, rather that there is a 0.1% chance of occurring in any given year." - Death Valley NPS
This body of water is reshaping the landscape, even if just temporarily. Badwater Basin's vast salt flats, a reminder of the valley's watery past, are now hidden beneath the shallow lake. And with the water, we're seeing bursts of wildflowers adding splashes of color to the typically stark valley floor.
The rarity of this event can't be overstressed. A lake in Death Valley is like finding a snowball in a furnace. The park, known for its record-breaking heat, is usually a place where water is scarce, and life clings to the edge. In fact, the last time we saw such a transformation was in 2022 when flash flooding from unexpected rain caused extensive damage, and it seems history has repeated itself following Hurricane Hilary.
The damage to infrastructure has been significant, with 1,400 miles of park roads impacted, leading to a near two-month closure of the park. This is a clear indication of how unprepared the desert landscape is for such unusual weather events.
Visitors and locals alike, including Laura Cunningham from Basin and Range Watch, have marveled at the sight. The lake has turned into a reflective canvas, echoing Telescope Peak in its still waters, offering a glimpse into an age when this desert was a far wetter place during the Ice Age some 10,000 years ago.
The wildlife, including bighorn sheep, seems to be reveling in this change, taking advantage of the blooming vegetation. It’s a brief boon for the ecosystem, an example of how even a small amount of water can bring so much life to such a parched environment.
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of this rare occurrence, the park has reopened partially, but time is of the essence. The lake, subject to the desert's merciless sun, is expected to disappear by the end of the month as evaporation takes its course.
