Giant Lake Reappears 130 Years After Vanishing

Once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, Tulare Lake vanished from California’s Central Valley over a century ago due to agricultural diversion and drought. However, in a stunning turn of events, the lake has made a triumphant return in 2023 after a series of atmospheric rivers drenched the state.¹

At its peak in the 1800s, Tulare Lake covered an impressive 790 square miles and supported a thriving ecosystem of fish, birds, and mammals. Here’s what happened.

A Lake of Legends

Tulare Lake, also known as “Pa’ashi” to the indigenous Tachi Yokut tribe, was once the largest body of freshwater west of the Mississippi River. Spanning an impressive 790 square miles at its peak in the 1800s, this majestic lake served as a vital resource for the surrounding communities and wildlife. 

The lake supported an abundance of fish, including Sacramento perch and Chinook salmon, and a diverse array of birds along the Pacific Flyway. Grizzly bears, tule elk, and gray wolves also thrived in the region.

The Disappearance

In the late 19th century, the fate of Tulare Lake took a dark turn. As part of a “deeply settler colonial project,” as described by researcher Vivian Underhill, the lake was drained to make way for private farmland. Levees and dams were built to divert water from the rivers that fed the lake, causing it to gradually disappear. 

Indigenous communities were displaced, and the thriving ecosystem was forever altered.

The draining of the lake had a profound impact on the surrounding ecosystem. The loss of water led to the decline of fish populations, the disappearance of wetland habitats, and the disruption of bird migration patterns. 

The Yokuts, who had lived sustainably off the lake’s resources for thousands of years, saw their way of life irrevocably changed.

Nature’s Resilience

Despite the odds, Tulare Lake refused to be forgotten. In 2023, after a series of atmospheric rivers drenched California, the lake made a triumphant return. The resurgence of water has brought with it a host of environmental and social changes, from the return of diverse wildlife to the revitalization of indigenous cultural practices.

The lake’s rebirth has created new wetland habitats, attracting migratory birds and providing spawning grounds for fish. Tule marshes, once a dominant feature of the landscape, are beginning to reemerge. The cooling effect of the lake’s surface is even influencing local climate patterns.

A Mixed Blessing

While the return of Tulare Lake is a cause for celebration, it also presents challenges. Agricultural communities face the task of protecting their farmland from flooding, while some worker communities have suffered displacement. The lake’s reappearance serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and the natural world.

The flooding has caused billions of dollars in agricultural losses, submerging crops and drowning livestock. Communities built on the former lakebed are now grappling with the reality of living in a flood-prone area. 

The lake’s return has sparked debates about land use, water management, and the future of the region.

Looking to the Future

The lake’s return is not just a result of heavy rainfall, but a call to re-evaluate our relationship with the environment. By preserving this natural wonder and embracing indigenous management practices, we can create a more sustainable future for all.

The Tachi Yokut tribe sees the lake’s return as an opportunity for healing and reconnection with their ancestral lands. Restoring the lake could offer benefits such as groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat enhancement, and cultural revitalization. 

With the climate crisis intensifying California’s wet and dry extremes, experts predict that Tulare Lake will continue to reemerge in wet years.

Source:

1. LA Times