Death Valley experience

'Once-in-a-lifetime' Death Valley experience emerges after California storms

By Eric Brooks

No, really. Park officials declared it so on Friday after "a temporary lake" at Badwater Basin exploded in size due to the recent deluge of rain in Southern California. The ephemeral lake — fondly known as Lake Manly — is six miles long, three miles wide, one foot deep and sits in the shadow of the snow-capped Panamint Range. It initially formed in August 2023 following heavy rains during Hurricane Hilary but gradually shrank throughout fall and winter. Because of the damage caused by that storm, no visitors were able to see it.

But that’s not the case this time. Roads leading to the lake are finally open.

"The lake was deep enough to kayak for a few weeks after Hurricane Hilary, but unfortunately people couldn’t come enjoy it then," Death Valley National Park spokesperson Abby Wines said. "Every road in the park was damaged by flash floods, and it took two months to open the first road into the park. Now, most of the main roads are open, so it’s a great time to come visit."

The latest round of rain dumped 1.5 inches in Death Valley over a four-day period starting on February 4, a total almost on par with the two inches per year that normally falls there. In the last six months alone, Death Valley has gotten an astonishing 4.9 inches of rain.

Lake Manly is roughly the same size as it initially was last August. "It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Wines said. "It's cool just to see this place look so different. The lake creates these amazing reflections of the mountains."

At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. Its unique setting is at the end of the Amargosa River, which feeds water from the south. The water doesn’t flow out of the basin, meaning it will sit undisturbed until evaporating as Death Valley heats up. Badwater Basin is typically home to heat, dry air and throngs of tourists there to see 200 square miles of barren salt flats "composed mostly of sodium chloride (table salt), calcite, gypsum, and borax." 

As of now, those same salt flats are playing host to kayakers and visitors in waders enjoying a lake visible from space.

Images released by NASA prove as much. The amazing photos – which are false color to "emphasize the presence of water in shades of blue" – were taken by the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites on Valentine’s Day, according to NASA. They show the eight-month transformation of the area from dry desert to lush lake, a concept not far from the truth many, many centuries ago.

Lake Manly got its name from an ancient lake of the same name that evaporated tens of thousands of years ago. Before 2023, it was last observed in 2005. At that time, it lasted about a week.

For Wines, it’s a sight she’s not seen in almost two decades on the job in Death Valley. "No. Definitely not," she said.

Anyone wanting to see Lake Manly only has to follow a paved road that goes to a parking lot right near the Badwater Basin boardwalk. "Problem is, there might not be enough parking right now," Wines said. "People might have to park on the shoulder, and it's important to park all the way off the road on the shoulder."

To get to the best kayaking spot, Wines advised visitors to head one mile south of the parking lot. She plans to join the kayakers when she gets the chance. It’s thought the lake will only be deep enough to kayak in for two weeks.

All isn’t lost for would-be photographers, though. Park officials also believe the lake will create "beautiful reflections" through April.