Death Valley National Park’s Ice Age Lake Returns After Rainfall

An ancient lake known as “Lake Manly” has reemerged in Death Valley National Park in California after record rainfall. The shallow body of water formed at the lowest point in North America, the Badwater Basin, due to fall storms bringing more rainwater in two months than the area typically receives in a year. Lake Manly, which once filled Death Valley during the Ice Age, now appears sporadically when enough precipitation covers the old salt flats, showcasing a rare glimpse of the prehistoric lake bed. In November, the park saw its wettest fall on record, with rainfall measurements reaching 1.76 inches, breaking previous records and creating a superficial lake visible to visitors near the Badwater Basin parking lot.

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