Owens Valley

Owens Valley is a long, narrow valley located in the Eastern Sierra region of California, United States, situated between the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the west and the Inyo Mountains to the east, near Lone Pine and Bishop. The valley is home to several important United States Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring stations, including the Owens Valley Radio Observatory and the Big Pine Volcanic Field. Owens Valley is also close to the Manzanar National Historic Site, which commemorates the Manzanar War Relocation Center established during World War II by the United States Army under the authority of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the War Relocation Authority. The valley is drained by the Owens River, which flows into the Owens Lake and is managed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Inyo County Water Department.

Geography

Owens Valley is a graben, a down-dropped block of the Earth's crust, bounded by faults, including the Sierra Nevada Fault and the Inyo Mountains Fault. The valley floor is covered by a thick layer of sediment and alluvium deposited by the Owens River and its tributaries, such as the Big Pine Creek and the Bishop Creek. The surrounding mountains, including Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, and Mount Williamson, are composed of granite and other igneous rocks. The valley is also home to several hot springs, including the Keough Hot Springs and the Benton Hot Springs, which are popular destinations for tourists and backpackers visiting the John Muir Wilderness and the Inyo National Forest.

Climate

The climate of Owens Valley is characterized as high desert, with cold winters and hot summers, similar to the climate of Death Valley National Park and the Mojave Desert. The valley receives very little precipitation, with an average annual rainfall of just 6 inches (15 cm) in the town of Independence, which is located near the Eastern California Museum and the Manzanar National Historic Site. The surrounding mountains, including the Sierra Nevada and the Inyo Mountains, create a rain shadow effect, blocking moisture-laden air from the Pacific Ocean and resulting in a dry climate, similar to the climate of Tibet and the Gobi Desert. The valley is also subject to strong winds, including the Santa Ana winds and the Mono winds, which can cause significant dust storms and sandstorms.

History

The history of Owens Valley dates back thousands of years, with evidence of human habitation by the Paiute and Shoshone tribes, who were later joined by European-American settlers, including Kit Carson and John C. Frémont. The valley was an important stopover for travelers on the California Trail and the Mormon Trail, which connected the Missouri River to the Sacramento River and the San Francisco Bay Area. The construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in the early 20th century, under the direction of William Mulholland and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), had a significant impact on the valley, diverting water from the Owens River to the city of Los Angeles and causing the Owens Lake to dry up, similar to the drying up of the Aral Sea and the Salton Sea. The valley was also home to several important mining operations, including the Cerro Gordo Mines and the Keeler Mines, which extracted silver, lead, and zinc.

Ecology

The ecology of Owens Valley is unique and diverse, with a wide range of plant and animal species, including the Great Basin spadefoot and the Owens Valley pupfish. The valley is an important stopover for migratory birds, including the Sandhill crane and the Tundra swan, which migrate between Alaska and Mexico along the Pacific Flyway. The surrounding mountains, including the Sierra Nevada and the Inyo Mountains, are home to several endemic species, including the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and the Inyo Mountains salamander. The valley is also home to several important wetlands, including the Owens Lake and the Kern River, which support a wide range of aquatic life, including the Kern River rainbow trout and the Owens Valley sucker.

Economy

The economy of Owens Valley is primarily based on agriculture, with major crops including alfalfa, hay, and cattle grazing, similar to the economy of the San Joaquin Valley and the Imperial Valley. The valley is also home to several important mining operations, including the Cerro Gordo Mines and the Keeler Mines, which extract silver, lead, and zinc. The construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the Owens Valley Pipeline has also created jobs and stimulated economic growth in the valley, similar to the construction of the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River Aqueduct. Tourism is also an important part of the valley's economy, with visitors drawn to the area's natural beauty, including the Eastern Sierra and the Inyo National Forest, as well as its rich cultural heritage, including the Manzanar National Historic Site and the Eastern California Museum.

Transportation

Owens Valley is connected to the rest of California by several major highways, including U.S. Route 395 and California State Route 168, which provide access to the Sierra Nevada and the Inyo Mountains. The valley is also served by the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, which offers flights to Los Angeles International Airport and other destinations in California. The Owens Valley Railroad and the Carson and Colorado Railway also played important roles in the valley's transportation history, similar to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. The valley is also home to several important bicycle trails, including the Owens Valley Bike Trail and the Eastern Sierra Bike Trail, which connect the valley to other parts of California and the Western United States.