# The flooded disaster that is Tulare Lake in California’s Central Valley **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 30, 2023, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363 "2023-04-30T05:50:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/41 "2023-05-02T05:37:17Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > > [@Bullitt](#): > > > > I used to go to Bishop a lot. > > Curious, Why? Bishop is nothing but a gas stop (and speed-trap) for me. Yes it is. It’s often a gas stop for the skiers coming from LA and going to Mammoth. Or outdoors explorers. I used to have family who lived there while I lived in/near San Francisco. Over the years because of changing weather and especially snowfall I’ve been over every pass road over the Sierras, from Donner Pass in the north down to Tehachapi Pass in the south and every pass in between. On both motorcycle and car. Anyway yes, because of family there I’d go often. I love the beauty of the rugged eastern Sierra Nevada. Some great starry nights too. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/42 "2023-05-02T05:38:40Z")
> [@dougrb](#): > > Here’s a new video by Joe Scott on this subject. I’m starting it at 11 min when he starts talking about a roughly 200 year cycle for mass flooding in California. The last time was 1862. > [https://youtu.be/bM4EGwzjzNE?t=660](https://youtu.be/bM4EGwzjzNE?t=660) Yes 1862 was a disastrous flood. > **[Great Flood of 1862](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Flood_of_1862)** > > The Great Flood of 1862 was the largest flood in the recorded history of California, Oregon, and Nevada, inundating the western United States and portions of British Columbia and Mexico. It was preceded by weeks of continuous rains and snows that began in Oregon in November 1861 and continued into January 1862. This was followed by a record amount of rain from January 9–12, and contributed to a flood that extended from the Columbia River southward in western Oregon, and through California to San ... ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/43 "2023-05-02T05:41:48Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > > [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > > > Schat’s Bakkery (not a misspelling) > > An Alternate Spelling is _“Overrated”_ 😁 Yeah many people raved about Schat’s but I agree with you Gato. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/44 "2023-05-02T13:23:08Z")
Apparently all the rain and wash has churned up more gold. > **[Flooding was the downside to California's heavy rain. The upside: gold](https://www.npr.org/2023/05/02/1173247351/flooding-was-the-downside-to-californias-heavy-rain-the-upside-gold)** > > Floodwater in California has stirred up new deposits of gold in rivers and streams across the state. It's sparking what some are calling Gold Rush 2.0. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/45 "2023-05-02T13:55:16Z")
I have a friend who lives just outside of Bishop – There is the railroad museum in Laws and some nice pictographs. It is also roughly halfway between Yosemite and Death Valley.And don’t knock bowling alley food – the best perch fry is at the Sister Bay Bowl in Sister Bay, WI IMHO. Brian ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/46 "2023-05-02T13:59:28Z")
You can still see stark evidence of the 1862 flood around my area of SoCal. All of the canyons and arroyos along the 10 from Redlands halfway to Palm Springs were carved by that inundation. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/47 "2023-05-02T15:08:40Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Apparently all the rain and wash has churned up more gold. This might sound like good news, but I predict an ecological disaster. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/48 "2023-05-02T23:56:08Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You can still see stark evidence of the 1862 flood around my area of SoCal. On average you’ve got another 40 years… unless that pesky global warming. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/49 "2023-05-03T00:29:31Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Yeah many people raved about Schat’s but I agree with you Gato. Not to get too far off topic, but up the road is the [Mobil in Lee Vining](http://www.whoanelliedeli.com/), which has a very good selection of grub. Went there a couple years ago and was impressed. Worth a stop if you are that far north. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/50 "2023-05-03T00:52:44Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > I have a friend who lives just outside of Bishop – There is the railroad museum in Laws and some nice pictographs. It is also roughly halfway between Yosemite and Death Valley. Bishop is also the western terminus of US Route 6…only 3,198 miles to Provincetown, MA! > [@snowthx](#): > > Not to get too far off topic, but up the road is the [Mobil in Lee Vining](http://www.whoanelliedeli.com/), which has a very good selection of grub. I can vouch for the tasty food at the Whoa Nellie Deli. You can drive just up the hill and enjoy your sandwich with a terrific view overlooking Mono Lake. They are looking to sell the place but when I was there last fall they hadn’t found a buyer yet. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/51 "2023-05-03T05:35:59Z")
Out of curiosity, I looked up the Whoa Nellie Deli; Google said it was “temporarily closed” and the website says it will reopen for the season on May 19th. > **[hours — The Mobil](http://www.whoanelliedeli.com/hours)** > > whoa Nellie deli hours tioga gas mart hours ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/52 "2023-05-04T00:17:45Z")
I don’t usually stop in Lee Vining for a meal. Maybe gas on occasion. On google maps the deli appears to be closed. Located on Vista Point Road, it’s in a spot with a nice view. I hope it’s open the next time I pass through. [![](https://i.imgur.com/YiXf90V.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/YiXf90V.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/53 "2023-05-04T00:41:18Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Located on Vista Point Road, it’s in a spot with a nice view Yep (click on image to see full panorama): [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdKT82nmEryPG9uxAJ68mIenTJeV9X8I5PpY2CJzFHtIL7cHhblzkmh3O2otMP6hik9OlQi95jE4bOa5osEPaFPFiVnFOjvvopNuHjodIfB06daI7V7=w600-h315-p-k "New item by Dave Carter") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/g6LN937QHd3L8nxC6) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/54 "2023-05-04T01:13:40Z")
Why are we on Bishop, which is not affected by the flood?? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/55 "2023-05-04T07:07:34Z")
Seeking the High Ground? 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/56 "2023-05-30T18:02:21Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > > [@Pleonast](#): > > > > Bishop has a decent selection of restaurants. > > Bishop’s top-rated restaurant on Trip Advisor is the Back Alley Bowl and Grill, which as you’d expect is in a bowling alley. I just discovered Gojira Ramen & Sushi at Mammoth Lakes is opening a second store in Bishop. It’s fast casual and very tasty! Good boba drinks, too. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/57 "2023-05-30T18:18:19Z")
Is it me, or is this flood lake really, REALLY big? It seems to stretch as far as the eye can see. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/58 "2023-05-30T18:24:21Z")
It is very big. At some points I could not see the other side. It is also very shallow. I don’t remember its average depth. More: after a very quick search it looks like its average depth is about 30 feet. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/59 "2023-05-30T18:37:09Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I don’t see it as “flooding” so much as “recharging the aquifer.” > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I was wondering how much of this water will be absorbed and recharge the aquifer. Is the terrain the sort that will allow the water to penetrate? > [@Pleonast](#): > > It recharges the ground water, reduces soil salt levels, and prevents ground subsistence and sink holes. So, subsistence is the really big issue here. A substantial portion of the CA aquifer storage capacity has already been lost. If not actually forever, close enough to it to make no difference. I’ve heard it described like a house of cards - as you draw down the aquifer the surrounding ground loses structural integrity and collapses and compresses, eliminating many of the cells where water used to accumulate. The aquifers can’t be fully recharged, because some of the storage area is now simply gone. This is one of the biggest long-term impacts of CA’s most recent long drought. That emergency supply of water has been permanently depleted, never to return to what it once was. Any recharging is good, but come the next droughts (and they WILL come), we’re going to find ourselves with an ever-narrowing margin of tolerance. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363/60 "2023-05-30T18:49:18Z")
pssst – I think you mean subsidence, not subsistence. [/end nitpick] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flooded-disaster-that-is-tulare-lake-in-california-s-central-valley/983363.md?page=4)