Lake Manly is back after record rain in Death Valley

"After record-breaking rain in Death Valley, a shallow lake has formed at Badwater Basin, the national park said. The phenomenon known as Lake Manly is far smaller than it was last year, when it was about a foot deep over much of its 18-square-mile area. The current one covers much less terrain and barely rises above shoe tops, the park said."

"The transient lake also formed in 2023, when the remnants of Hurricane Hilary deluged the park, but it was off-limits to visitors then because of road damage. Before that, Manly had not formed since 2005. Last month was Death Valley's wettest November on record, with 1.76 inches of rain, a Dec. 4 park press release said. The previous mark, in 1923, was 1.7. The park also recorded the greatest rainfall for the September-November period, 2.41 inches, which is more than the yearly average."

"The current Lake Manly is about a mile hike from the Badwater parking lot. At 282 feet below sea level, the basin is the lowest point in North America. The park is advising visitors of road closures caused by the recent heavy rains. In addition to making some unpaved roads impassable, the storms left several paved roads blocked by debris."

Record November rains created a shallow Lake Manly at Badwater Basin in Death Valley. The lake is far smaller than last year’s formation, which was about a foot deep across much of its 18-square-mile area. The current pool covers much less terrain and barely rises above shoe tops. A similar transient lake formed in 2023 after remnants of Hurricane Hilary, and prior to that Manly had not formed since 2005. November brought 1.76 inches of rain—the wettest on record—surpassing the 1923 mark of 1.7 inches. September–November rainfall totaled 2.41 inches, exceeding the yearly average. The lake sits about a mile from the Badwater parking lot at 282 feet below sea level. The park warns of road closures and debris-blocked routes; updates are available on the park website.

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