Internal drainage of the Carrizo Plain and the formation of Soda Lake began during Pliocene-Pleistocene time when tectonic deformation associated with the San Andreas Fault defeated a stream that once drained the valley. An originally fresh to brackish water lake probably persisted through much of the Pleistocene during which coastal California was wetter and cooler than now. Diminished Holoceneprecipitation and a higher evaporation rate led to shrinkage of the ancestral lake and associated increased salinity which set the stage for clay dune formation.
About 30% of the closed or endorheicdrainage basin is to the north of the lake and 70% is south of it. The Soda Lake complex consists of two larger basins, and at least 130 smaller pans. The large L-shaped northern basin is about 10.5 km2 (4.1 sq mi) in area. The remaining basins, including both those that feed the northern basin and those that have no surface outlets, comprise an area of about 4.8 km2 (1.9 sq mi). Water levels in the basins rise and fall seasonally. Rainfall on the Carrizo Plain is only about 20 cm (7.9 in) in an average year but is higher on the surrounding mountains. Following exceptionally wet winters, typically El Niño years, the large northern and southern basins do not evaporate completely, although the water retreats toward the center of the basin leaving a salt crust up to 20 cm (7.9 in) thick. Most of the large and small pans are fringed by clay dunes. It is one of the largest alkali wetlands remaining in natural condition in California. It supports fairy and brine shrimp, as well as migratory and nesting birds. A boardwalk was built along the shore to prevent damage to the saltbush habitat that borders the lake.
DunesEdit
The largest dune bounds the eastern and southern edges of the northern basin. This dune is up to 470 m (1,540 ft) wide, 16.7 m (55 ft) high, and nearly 9.5 km (5.9 mi) in length. Part of the dune is active, receiving sediment from the mud flat exposed between the dune and the salt pan. Most of the eastern (north-south) leg of the dune, which is lower and narrower, is currently inactive. Westward retreat of the shoreline exposed the former lake flat to colonization and stabilization by salt-resistant plants.
United States Bureau of Land Management - Carrizo Plain National Monument (Dead link)
United States Geological Survey - Carrizo Plain National Monument, California (Dead link)
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Soda Lake (San Luis Obispo County).
Virtual Guidebooks - Panoramas of Soda Lake
October 20, 2023
soda, lake, luis, obispo, county, soda, lake, shallow, ephemeral, alkali, endorheic, lake, carrizo, plain, southeastern, luis, obispo, county, california, lake, located, southwest, side, northern, carrizo, plain, east, luis, obispo, reached, soda, lake, road, . Soda Lake is a shallow ephemeral alkali endorheic lake in the Carrizo Plain in southeastern San Luis Obispo County California The lake is located on the southwest side of the northern Carrizo Plain 103 km 64 mi east of San Luis Obispo It can be reached by Soda Lake Road which runs northwest southeast between State Route 166 and State Route 58 The lake is at an elevation of 580 m 1 900 ft and covers an area of about 12 km2 4 6 sq mi Soda LakeSoda LakeLocationCarrizo Plain National Monument San Luis Obispo County California USCoordinates35 13 52 N 119 53 18 W 35 2312 N 119 8883 W 35 2312 119 8883Typealkali lakeBasin countriesUnited StatesSurface area12 km2 4 6 sq mi Surface elevation580 m 1 900 ft Contents 1 Endorheic drainage basin 2 Dunes 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksEndorheic drainage basin Edit nbsp Aerial view of Soda LakeInternal drainage of the Carrizo Plain and the formation of Soda Lake began during Pliocene Pleistocene time when tectonic deformation associated with the San Andreas Fault defeated a stream that once drained the valley An originally fresh to brackish water lake probably persisted through much of the Pleistocene during which coastal California was wetter and cooler than now Diminished Holocene precipitation and a higher evaporation rate led to shrinkage of the ancestral lake and associated increased salinity which set the stage for clay dune formation About 30 of the closed or endorheic drainage basin is to the north of the lake and 70 is south of it The Soda Lake complex consists of two larger basins and at least 130 smaller pans The large L shaped northern basin is about 10 5 km2 4 1 sq mi in area The remaining basins including both those that feed the northern basin and those that have no surface outlets comprise an area of about 4 8 km2 1 9 sq mi Water levels in the basins rise and fall seasonally Rainfall on the Carrizo Plain is only about 20 cm 7 9 in in an average year but is higher on the surrounding mountains Following exceptionally wet winters typically El Nino years the large northern and southern basins do not evaporate completely although the water retreats toward the center of the basin leaving a salt crust up to 20 cm 7 9 in thick Most of the large and small pans are fringed by clay dunes It is one of the largest alkali wetlands remaining in natural condition in California It supports fairy and brine shrimp as well as migratory and nesting birds A boardwalk was built along the shore to prevent damage to the saltbush habitat that borders the lake Dunes EditThe largest dune bounds the eastern and southern edges of the northern basin This dune is up to 470 m 1 540 ft wide 16 7 m 55 ft high and nearly 9 5 km 5 9 mi in length Part of the dune is active receiving sediment from the mud flat exposed between the dune and the salt pan Most of the eastern north south leg of the dune which is lower and narrower is currently inactive Westward retreat of the shoreline exposed the former lake flat to colonization and stabilization by salt resistant plants nbsp Panoramic view of Soda Lake nbsp Thenardite an anhydrous sodium sulfate mineral from Soda LakeSee also EditList of lakes in CaliforniaReferences Edit unsourced United States Bureau of Land Management Carrizo Plain National Monument Dead link United States Geological Survey Carrizo Plain National Monument California Dead link External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Soda Lake San Luis Obispo County Virtual Guidebooks Panoramas of Soda Lake Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Soda Lake San Luis Obispo County amp oldid 1142271848, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
