Patsiata, phantom of dust

Owens Lake lies to the east of Sierra Nevada mountain chain in California. The Paiute tribes called it Patsiata. This body of water once covered an area of 280 square kilometres and had an average depth of 12 metres. The first explorers in the region reported that it sustained abundant aquatic life. Agricultural irrigation, followed by the diversion of the Owens River to the Los Angeles aqueduct, caused a gradual drop in the water level, until the lake dried up completely. Owens Lake was transformed into a vast arid and desolate plain; when the desert winds blew across the deposits of soda ash, huge dust clouds formed. Sand storms became a problem as toxic particles gave rise to respiratory diseases among the populace. To keep this under control, gravel was spread across the basin and the sediment kept damp. Today, nearly half of the aqueduct’s water is rechanneled toward Owens Lake in order to re-start plant growth in the lacustrine clay and restore the depleted ecosystems. Ponds have been created for migratory birds. Film by Isabelle Hayeur