“ One of only five
terminus lakes in the
world and a haven for
migratory birds, beautiful
and unique Walker
Lake is in immediate
danger of becoming so
low and alkaline that it
will lose its threatened
Lahontan cutthroat
trout fishery unless
it gets an adequate
supply of fresh water
every year"
Marge Sill, envirionmentalist
For more information contact
Walker Lake Working Group
P.O. Box 867
Hawthorne, NV 89415
(775) 945-8243
Fax: (775) 945-8046
shirlou@gbis.com
Photos by
Lou Thompson
Bob Goodman, photographer
writer and naturalist
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Walker Lake — Hawthorne, Mineral County
Summary
Walker Lake is a remnant of prehistoric Lake Lahonton, which covered much of northwestern Nevada
during the Pleistocene era. Still an impressive body of water today by anyones standards, its signficance
as a natural and cultural resource here is unmatched.
Drawing thousands of migratory birds and providing a unique habitat for giant trout, as well as the tourist
element that pursues them, are only part of the allure of this relic from the ice age.
It has international significance as one of the only lakes in the world that has deep, cold water, where high saline content reduces biodiversity and focuses productivity on a few highly specialized species. This unique characteristic allows for trophy-sized Lahontan cutthroat trout.
The Landscape
Located in west-central Nevada on U.S. 95 about 120 miles southeast of Reno, the lake is about 14 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. It covers 35 square miles and contains about one million acre-feet of water.
On the Pacific Flyway, Walker Lake is a stopover for up to 4,000 common loons during their migration between Mexico and Canada. Other birds that rely on the lakes ecosystem include the American white pelican, snowy plovers and long-billed curlews.
Tourism from fishing, bird-watching and other outdoor activities supply up to 40 percent of Mineral County's waning revenue. The Walker Lake Loon Festival boosts the economy here and also educates the public on how to appreciate the natural world.
Kayaking, boating, camping and hiking are popular. An important cultural symbol, the lake has been the
heart of the Walker River Paiute Tribe. Historically, this tribe relied heavily on the Lahontan cutthroat
trout as their food source and called themselves agaidicutta or "trout eaters."
The Threat
According to the Desert Research Institute, upstream diversions of the Walker River for agriculture are responsible for the loss of 90 percent of the lakes volume since the 1880s, when large-scale diversions began. Lowered water levels leave the lake with a high concentration of dissolved solids, preventing the
trout from growing to historic record sizes.
Lack of fresh river water to dilute the lakes natural salinity is threatening biodiversity. Salinity has increased to ranges perilous to microorganisms and fish that support the food chain. Existing trout rely on the tui chub, the lakes cornerstone native fish species, for food.
The high salinity levels have prevented tui chub from reproducing for several years. Biologists think this breakdown in the food chain will likely leave the lake barren of all fish within a few years.
Recently, analysis from a Lahontan cutthroat trout planting at the lake found 100 percent mortality. This failure has reinforced the state and federal agencies decisions to drastically reduce fish stocking for recreation. It also is evidence of habitat degradation, which is impeding efforts to recover the federally listed
Lahontan species.
Salt levels at the lake are now in uncharted territory, and the effects on remaining wildlife are unknown. However, biologists predict that migratory birds seeking refuge at the lake will be unable to continue their international journeys because of a weakened condition from lack of adequate food.
The Solution
A large influx of fresh water is needed immediately to buffer the effects of annual evaporation that adds to increasing salinity levels. After this, stakeholders in the Walker River Basin need to agree on an increased average annual in flow that would raise the lake over a reasonable period of time to a level that
supports native fish.
Public objection and outcry over the loss of this precious natural resource could help in fluence policymakers future action and reinforce current progress to secure emergency relief and additional resources to preserve
the lake for the long term.
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