DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: The sun rises beyond the sprawling temporary lake at Badwater Basin salt flats, which was caused by flooding in August from Tropical Storm Hilary, at the recently reopened Death Valley National Park on October 23, 2023 in Death Valley National Park, California. The storm delivered a year’s worth of rain to Death Valley in a single day and flood damage forced the iconic desert park’s closure for eight weeks. Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth and Badwater Basin is located 282 feet below sea level, the lowest elevation in North America. Parts of the park remain closed as repair work continues. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Death Valley is famously known as flat and dry, but two months after a turbulent storm, the desert teems with wildflowers and water.
Hurricane Hilary, California’s first tropical storm in 84 years, dropped a year’s worth of rainfall in just one day.
Flooded roads and destroyed trails, which received over two inches of rain, forced Death Valley to shut down on August 21.
It reopened on October 15 to reveal that the national park now hosts a temporary lake, 5,575 feet above Dante’s View, visible from the water’s edge.
While it hasn’t been measured yet, rangers estimate the water to be about two feet deep.
The water has caused orange and yellow flowers to bloom – a beautiful example of seasonal confusion.
There has been an uptick in insects, as well.
While there is occasionally a little water at the boardwalk near the parking lot, there’s very rarely enough to resemble a lake. Puddles and ponds now litter the area.
Death Valley is prone to flooding from intense rain, but the ground is too dry to absorb any of the water.
As the hottest place in the world, with the highest evaporation rate, the water could dry up within a matter of weeks.
As a heat wave descends the region this weekend, the National Weather Service said to expect temperatures to exceed 100 degrees on Saturday. Earlier this year, Death Valley’s temperature broke 130 degrees.
Rangers report that it’s more water than they’ve seen in 18 years. Its Badwater Basin is the lowest spot in the U.S. at 282 feet below sea level.
Visitors from all over are astounded at the park’s new beauty.
The park’s wettest day on record resulted in the two-month shutdown — the longest closure in park history. Repairs have reportedly cost $6 million so far.
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