Owens Lake Studio 2010

Owens Lake studiOUSC, Fall 2010

Robin Abad OcubilloChristopher Arntz

Myvonwynn HoptonJames Lively

Jennifer RegnierJennifer Renteria

Gabe MasonAdrian Suzuki

Lin Wang

Instructor: Alexander Robinson

University of Southern California © 2011

Book design: Lily Kerrigan

Cover front: James Lively

Cover back: Myvonwynn Hopton

Acknowledgements

IntroductIon Owens Dry Lakebed

The Design Problem

Studio Schedule and Objectives

desIgn ProPosAlsRobin Abad Ocubillo Owens Habitat Hike: bOardwalk, sun sHade, windbreak, bird blind, sand spOiler

Chris Arntz tHe Guild: sHeetflOOdinG and sHOrebird

blinds

Myvonwynn Hopton watercOlOr: tHe salt pOnds at

Owens lake

James Lively fluvial tillaGe: a Hybrid bacM

Jennifer Regnier backyard caMpOut: reiMaGininG

caMpsites frOM an island perspective

Jennifer Renteria Owens labryntH: an Owens

JOurney via landfOrM

Gabe Mason kinetic rytHMs: tHe cOnverGence Of

tHe Owens lake and delta

Adrian Suzuki keeler beacH: a skiMbOard

destinatiOn

Lin Wang tHe raw

subject mAPPIngs

grouP VIewshed AnAlysIs Dirty Socks Group

Keeler Group

Cartago Group

PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

PostcArds

sIte ImPressIons

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910

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CO

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Acknowledgements

With funding from Great Basin APCD and Special Thanks to:Ted Schade, Great Basin Air Pollution Control DistrictDepartment of Water and Power Staff on Owens Lake and in Los Angeles: especially William VanWagoner, Nelson Meja, Robert Strub, Louis Rubalcaba, and Jaime Valenzuela.Loe Pesce, Metabolic StudioMike Prather, Eastern Sierra AudubonMargot Griswold, EcologistGina Bartlett and the Owens Lake Master Planning CommitteeUSC Staff

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Owens Lake

Owens Lake is located in the Owens Valley, 200 miles by road north of Los Angeles. With peaks on both sides rising above 14,000 feet, including Mount Whitney, and a valley elevation of about 4,000 feet, the valley is one of the deepest in United States. The valley’s water, fed primarily by the eastern Sierra Mountains watershed and captured through a series of Los Angeles Department and Water and Power (DWP) aqueduct projects (1913, 1941 and 1970), provide about 40% of Los Angeles’s water. The diversion of this water has had a profound and complicated impact on the culture and environment of the Valley. One of the greatest environmental impacts of the diversion was the effective emptying of the Owens Lake by 1930 (which many argue would have happened anyway due to local agricultural thirsts).

Before it dried out, the lake was up to 12 miles long and 8 miles wide and covered an area of 108 square miles. The lake had no outlet and over thousands of years became an alkali lake – a saline condition that while hostile to many forms of life, fostered certain insect life (e.g. brine shrimp) and served as an important feeding and resting stop for waterfowl and food source for local native american people. The lake has many other interesting natural, cultural and industrial histories, including a steam ship, Bessie Brady, that used to ply its water, carrying silver ore from the

mines of Cerro Gordo and reducing the mule train trip time to Los Angeles.

The current lake is less than one third of its original area and approximately 5% of its original volume, with a current elevation of 3,554 feet, compared to an original elevation of 3,600 feet. Of the 110 square miles of akali lake contained within the historic shoreline, a ~26 square miles remnant remains as a permanent hyper-saline brine pool. Once the lake was drained mineral deposits of trona ore were exposed and continue to be extracted.

Perhaps the most significant consequence of draining Owens Lake was the subsequent exposure of seasonal volatile akaline blooms whose particulates are collected in strong winds and can travel for miles in thick fog-like plumes. This airborn particular matter, once measured, ranked Owens Lake as the biggest one single source PM10 particulate matter emitter in the country – with measured conditions over 80 times acceptable healthy values. A long legal battle with the DWP ensued to mitigate this problem for the affected residents of the valley – eventually resulting in a 1998 agreement that the DWP would take measures to bring down the PM10 concentrations to acceptable levels. The DWP has since been trying to comply with this agreement by implementing a variety of pre-approved dust control methods on the lake and opening a new chapter for the lake.

Top: Textures and colors vary considerably on-site

Bottom: Dust control measures has changed the landscape of Owens Lake

Opposite: The 2010 USC Studio on the Lake.

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The current dust control operations on-site were rapidly deployed by the DWP to reach dust control mitigation requirements. Now that these benchmarks have been reached, the DWP will be modifying operations according to a number factors and opportunities. To a large extent these include water conservation and solar power, but additionally it is their obligation to consider improvements that fall under the Public Trust Doctrine. According to this doctrine, the state, the landlord of the lake, has an obligation to protect the recreational, ecological, aesthetic, scientific, and open space values of certain lands under its control.

While the ecological and scientific aspects of the doctrine are well represented by a variety of experts involved with the lake, the remaining elements – recreational, aesthetic, and open space – have had relatively little attention. Usually, within this natural context, these elements would be planned by recreational/resource planner or a specialized landscape architect, however, in this case the existing resource lacks the immediate value of pristine conditions and, more importantly, is highly mutable. These are conditions in which landscape architects are accustomed to creating public value. For example the landscape of Central Park in New York City was in many ways a wasteland (or considered as such) upon which its designer, Frederick Law Olmsted sculpted a vision of nature.

While Owens Lake was once a significant and pristine natural feature human use and exploitation transformed it into an unexpected health hazard for the neighboring people, who originally suffered the most from its draining. The long litigated dust mitigation has transformed this hazardous wasteland

into a giant dust control infrastructural landscape as unwieldly as a super-tanker as described by a DWP operations manager, with a surface landscape that has an ironic resemblance to lawns and pools – an oasis for wildlife in this desert climate.

The design of the dust mitigations operations had a limited dialogue with the site and its users – the primary focus having been on implementing dust mitigations technologies on the difficult site conditions. Given that much of the lanscape may change in order to improve operations and effeciences the students in the studio were tasked with discovering ways in which the inevitable re-design of the dust control landscape could better create Public Trust Values – effectively improving the dialogue of the site’s design and its interface with visitors. Furthermore, the site itself has a rich set of histories, phenomenologies, operations, ecologies, etc. that are not well capitalized and could become present in future designs.

Some important questions for the studio were:

What will the future dialogue be between site visitors and site?

How will people access the site?

How will an intervention / access frame how people perceive the site? What sort of impression will they have?

How should the site operations be modified to improve a dialogue with users (and the greater context)?

What is the best Public Trust manifestation of the site?

Clockwise from top left: Deeo pond, pond with tillage, managed vegetation, salt flat.

Bottom: The lake has become an important bird habitat.

The Design Problem

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For landscape architects the Owens Lake and the dust mitigation operations of the DWP present an extremely rich and interesting subject. As natural agents of synthesis, the habit of landscape architects is to take on the comprehensive planning of the entire 100 square miles of the lakebed. This was done by Cal Poly landscape architects previous to the start of dust control operations and a great vision was fashioned, but the reality of implementation has resulted in something very different and ultimately unpredicted.

Given this and the current collaborative master planning process it seemed that while another such vision would not be unwelcome, more specialized services would be more helpful. With a site so complex and a great collection of experts involved through the current master planning process it seemed that in this case it would be best for landscape architects to offer their most specialized service – namely the integrated design of environmental spaces and experiences. Serving to create or improve the human interface with Owens Lake.

In this context we would treat the existing DWP operations as a second nature: a

condition that while not “natural” exhibits similar qualities in function, scale, and intertia. The dust control operations embody a particular and sensible order and perform a set of large scale valuable services, such as effective dust control and habitat. On the other hand, this “second nature,” as DWP readily admits, needs to be improved to use less water, and have better public access – and as efficiencies are slowly implemented – the plans that we provide could influence this process.

The studio was structured into two halves. The first part was focused on analysis and the second part on a particular design. The focus on the first part was to develop materials and analysis that would be critical for the design of the latter.

MID-REVIEW DELIVERABLESSubject Analysis – Each student focused on a discrete subject that could relate to public trust planning. These ranged from Geology and Cultural History to Dust Control Technologies and Precedents. The purpose of these studies was to both consider the existing conditions and operations as well as to unearth narratives and subjects that could become part of the experience of a future visitor.

Viewshed Analysis – One of the major focuses of the studio was to divorce students from an emphasis on designing experience in plan. Because of the extreme scale of the site and unusual open and flat condition of the lakebed, it was critical that students carefully studied the experience of viewer – a viewer whose experience was dominated by perspectival impressions of the lake. This analysis in turn helped influence a notion of scaling experiences to what could actually be experienced. Given the order and efficiencies of the DWP operations it was a more responsible approach that new interventions whose purpose was to improve the experience of visitors did not extend past the experience of visitors. Students worked in groups to perform analysis of the views that were accessible by the current highways and internal road infrastructure. In this way they discovered how little and how much of the lake is actually perceived.

Panorama Analysis – Students did detailed studies of single panoramas. This was a more detailed version of the viewshed analysis.

Personal Montages – Students were asked to record their initial impressions of

the site.

Postcards – Students did quick studies of a design proposal related to the subject they focused on to begin the process of designing experiences.

FINAL REVIEW DELIVERABLESFinal Design – The second part of the studio consisted of designing and choreographing access to the site and focusing on a single part of that experience in greater detail, to the level of material choices and detailed design drawings. The students prepared an overall storyboard describing the experience of a visitor coming to the site. Following this they went into greater detail about a part of that timeline and provided drawings for a couple “frames” of the experience. The studio focused on the impact of the perspectival view, so the students were asked to focus on perspectives that are fair and scaled representations of their designs and to avoid over-using bird-eye or other unlikely seen views.

Studio Approach

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desiGn PROPOsaLs

owens hAbItAt hIke: boArdwAlk + sunshAde, wIndbreAk, bIrd blInd, sAnd sPoIler

robin Abad ocubillo owens habitat hike: boardwalk + sunshade, windbreak, bird blind, sand spoiler

robIn AbAd ocubIllo

The Owens Lake Habitat Hike takes visitors on a raised boardwalk with integrated bird blind / weather shelter.

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usc owens lAke studIo, FAll 2010

owens hAbItAt hIke: boArdwAlk + sunshAde, wIndbreAk, bIrd blInd, sAnd sPoIlerrobIn AbAd ocubIllo

Visitors travel along a “transect” of the multiple habitat and vegeta-tion types present on the lake. The top diagram describes the ex-

pereience of a user moving along this corridor.

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owens hAbItAt hIke: boArdwAlk + sunshAde//wIndbreAk//bIrd blInd//sAnd sPoIler robIn AbAd ocubIllo

Detail drawings of the boardwalk and bird blind system.

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the guIld: sheetFloodIng And shorebIrd blIndschrIs Arntz

The experential timeline describes a user experience on the site. This project proposes an ultimate birding experience, combining habitat

design with a boardwalk and bird blind.

chris Arntz the guild: sheetflooding and shorebird blinds

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the guIld: sheetFloodIng And shorebIrd blInds chrIs Arntz

The bird blind resembles a wing and is situated in an attractive and intimate birding habitat.

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NATURAL SPRINGS & GRAZING

WHITE INYO MTNS FROM HWY 190

DIRTY SOCKS NATURAL SPRING

ENTRANCE THROUGH DESERT

MIXED SHALLOW FLOOD & ISLANDS AT T9

DEEP SALT SINK RED PONDS AT T10

0.50 miles Round-trip Through the Salt Ponds

0.75 miles From managed veg. to parking

4.66 miles along 190 from 395 to Turn off for Dirty Socks

Grab the attention of visitor’s driving 395

travel along the most scenic entrance route

Side-trip to experience the color and reflections of the

natural pool

Direct route through the desert, contrasts the water

and colors of the Lake

Experience the golden salt grass and irrigation, contrasting the to standing water of T9 & T10

Showcase natural phenomenon by creating a series of pools, changing in depth and size that will respond differently to sun and wind; some building thick salt crusts, others turning green in the wind, some staying red. Path along berms for reflection and enjoyment of this harsh and unique

environment

Curiosity...Turn right at the

Cows!Adventure A lovely desert oasis Birds and Blue’s of T9 Intense colors

Wind & Calm SimultaneouslyMarvelous, Bizarre, & Beautiful!

0.72 milesRT from 190 to Dirty Socks

2 minutes walking(+15 Minutes to stop at VC)

5 minutes driving 2 minutes driving 4 minutes driving 20 minutes walking (+ Added Minutes for Soaking in the experience!)

2 minutes driving(+15 minutes to Walk around &

enjoy spring)

Grazing Wildlife Shorebirds

Micro-organisms

Seeps &Springs

NaturalVegetation

ManagedVegetation

Irrigation StandingWater

Evaporation SaltCrystals

Parking Accessible Pedestrian Car Signage Roadways/Pathways

Visitor Center(VC)

LandArt

Olancha

EXPERIENTIAL TIMELINE: TRAVELING TO THE SALT PONDS OF OWENS LAKE

Modified BACM Islands

FIELDS OF MANAGED VEGETATION

3.11 milesFrom 190 to Owens Lake

SHALLOW SALT SINKGREEN PONDS AT T10

Add vegetated islands to T9, increase habitat & “naturalness”

Wonder! Beautiful yellow with the mountains & sky

Rugged, sparse

0.10 milesdirectly across road from parking

PROJECT INSPIRATION: OWENS LAKE PHENOMENA & PRECEDENTS

Salt Wind Evaporation Corrosion Halobacteria Salt Flats

T10-2 is a potential site for a future salt water sink...

PROJECT CONCEPT: Create Land Art that also serves an infrastructural purpose, doubling the value of T10-2. As a salt sink with accessible berms & paths, the place will celebrate the extreme conditions that simultaneously make Owens Lake an Incredibly harsh and beautiful environ-ment. T4-5

T4-4

T9

T3SE

T10-2 T10-1

T13-3

Highway395

Route 190

Route 136

Mainline Rd

Olancha

Keeler

Lone Pine

T10-2

T9

Mitigated Vegetation

Mainline Rd

White Inyo Mountians

Sierra Nevadas Mountains

OWENS LAKE

Proposed Salt Sink

Proposed Vegetated IslandsIn Shallow Flooding

Gravel

HabitatShallow Flooding

Managed Vegetation

Ponding

Shallow Flooding

LandscapeElements

Distance

Mode ofTravel

Travel Time

Design Elements

DesignIntent

Icon Key

Los Angeles

...to Lone Pine

PAINTING LANDSCAPE WITH NATURE’S SMALLEST CREATURES!

...to OWENS LAKE & DEATH VALLEY

Visitor Experience

Of the five standing bodies of water we passed along the Mainline on our site visit 9.13.2010, only salt pond T4-5 showed such a broad range of colors, with yellows, oranges, and deep reds. T4-4 had a slightly broader range than the other three pools, with greens present because of a type of green halophilic algae that live there. T4-4 was rippling with the wind, aerating the water and kicking up the green algae, where as T4-5 on the other side of the Mainline was totally still, allowing the color of the red halophilic bacteria to dominate. The salt concentrations contribute to the water’s creamy yellows and whites. The stillness of the pool allowed it to capture the reflection of blues, purples and browns of the mountains and sky.

WATER COLOR ANALYSIST13-3 T10-1 T4-4 T3SE T4-5

PROPOSED MAPRoute to T10-2

& ViewShed T10-2 DIAGRAM

Circulation & Immediate Viewshed

THE SALT PONDS OF OWENS LAKEMyvonwynn Hopton Fall 2010, Arch 542 al,

Professor Robinson

wAtercolor: the sAlt Ponds At owens lAkemyVonwynn hoPton

Watercolor proposes an encounter with a set of designed salt ponds on Owens Lake.

myvonwynn hopton watercolor: the salt Ponds at owens lake

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wAtercolor: the sAlt Ponds At owens lAkemyVonwynn hoPton

Perspectives show a sequence of experiences in the salt pond area, including a gateway built from a portion of the aqueduct.

At the base of the entrance mound looking north. Can not see pools yet... The Day is warm and still, with nothing disturbing the ponds or the Halobacteria...

The Shallowest Pools get aerated and turn green as the wind kicks up and the algae are hard at work... And now in Technicolor...A young explorer at the Western Stair Viewing Salt Crystals.

THE SALT PONDS OF OWENS LAKE IN PERSPECTIVE

At the base of the entrance mound looking north. Can not see pools yet... The Day is warm and still, with nothing disturbing the ponds or the Halobacteria...

The Shallowest Pools get aerated and turn green as the wind kicks up and the algae are hard at work... And now in Technicolor...A young explorer at the Western Stair Viewing Salt Crystals.

THE SALT PONDS OF OWENS LAKE IN PERSPECTIVE

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FluVIAl tIllAge: A hybrId bAcmjAmes lIVely

This experential timeline decribes the journey of bike rider through a variety of landscape conditions and to multiple attractions.

james lively Fluvial tillage: A hydrid bAcm

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FluVIAl tIllAge: A hybrId bAcm jAmes lIVely 18


FluVIAl tIllAge: A hybrId bAcmjAmes lIVely

The proposal employs berms and ditches to control dust while also serving as a set of pathways and micro habitats.

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FluVIAl tIllAge: A hybrId bAcm jAmes lIVely 20


bAckyArd cAmPout: reImAgInIng cAmPsItes From An IslAnd PersPectIVejennIFer regnIer

This project proposes a sophisticated camping area situated inside a ponded flood cell.

jennifer regnier backyard campout: reimagining campsites from an Island Perspective

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bAckyArd cAmPout: reImAgInIng cAmPsItes From An IslAnd PersPectIVe jennIFer regnIer22


bAckyArd cAmPout: reImAgInIng cAmPsItes From An IslAnd PersPectIVejennIFer regnIer

The campgrounds are oriented to maximize views of the sunsets. A series of open space features create a vibrant community in the

middle of the lake.

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owens lAbrynth: An owens journey VIA lAndForm jennIFer renterIA

This project creates the environment for a spiritual journey on the lake.

jennifer renteria owens labrynth: An owens journey via landform

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jennIFer renterIA owens lAbrynth: An owens journey VIA lAndForm

The project draws inspiration from the colors observed at the Owens Lake.

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owens lAbrynth: An owens journey VIA lAndForm jennIFer renterIA26


jennIFer renterIA owens lAbrynth: An owens journey VIA lAndForm 27


owens lAbrynth: An owens journey VIA lAndForm jennIFer renterIA

A labryinth choreographs a series of experiences and directs visitors to a viewing point.

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jennIFer renterIA owens lAbrynth: An owens journey VIA lAndForm 29


kInetIc rythms: the conVergence oF the owens lAke And deltA gAbe mAson

This experential timeline proposes a user experience that takes users on a quad, kayak, bicycle, then finally by foot.

gabe mason kinetic rythms: the convergence of the owens lake and delta

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gAbe mAson kInetIc rythms: the conVergence oF the owens lAke And deltA

A diamond shaped boardwalk carries users over a diamond shaped-dust control topography. Stainless steel bird blinds can be fitted with

reeds to provide shelter from the sun.

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kInetIc rythms: the conVergence oF the owens lAke And deltA gAbe mAson32


AdrIAn suzukI keeler beAch: A skImboArd destInAtIon

This project proposes skim boarding as a novel and ideal recreation activity for lake visitors.

Adrian suzuki keeler beach: A skimboard destination

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AdrIAn suzukIkeeler beAch: A skImboArd destInAtIon

Topography is designed to maximize skim-boarding fun. Keeler serves as the gateway and host to the new recreational opportunity.

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AdrIAn suzukI keeler beAch: A skImboArd destInAtIon

The facilities provide optimal skim boarding conditions and spaces from which to watch the sport.

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lIn wAngthe rAw

“The Raw” confronts and highlights naturally occuring conditions on the lake.

lin wang the raw

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lIn wAng

The sectional views of the intervention highlight the ways in which wind, sun, and climate are modified by the design.

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lIn wAngthe rAw

The project has two distinct sides that illustrate the range of condi-tions present on the lake.

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subjeCt maPPinGsStudents were instructed to produce a series of maps and documents relating to the following selected subjects:

1. Human Health and Comfort2. Public Perception & Value3. Recreation & Access4. Dust Mitigation Control Measures5. Habitat6. Natural History7. Owens Lake Bed Site Operations8. Cultural / Site History9. Precedents

robIn AbAd ocubIllo

graben geology prehistory of the mohave region saline lakes

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BLACK MOUNTAINS+6,384’

LAKE MANLY-282’

MOUNT WHITNEY+14,505’

PANAMIT LAKE+1,100’

ALABAMA HILLS+5,000’

PANAMINT MOUNTAINS max. elev. +11,053’

OWENS LAKE+3,556

COSO MOUNTAINS6,686’

SEDIMENTARY FILL-6,500’

(10,000’ deep)

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100 mya200 mya 150 mya 50 mya

MESOZOIC era CENOZOIC era

TRIASSIC period JURASSIC period CRETACEOUS period PALEOGENE period

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OWENS VALLEY“graben”

SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS“horst”

COSO RANGE“horst”

PANAMINT VALLEY

“graben”PANAMIT RANGE

“horst”

DEATHVALLEY

“graben”

BLACKMOUNTAINS

“horst”

ALABAMAHILLS

CALIFORNIACENTRAL VALLEY

tectonic plateEXPANDS WESTWARD

tectonic plateEXPANDS EASTWARD

BREAK IN CRUSTfills with sediment



Robin Abad Ocubillo

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subject mAPPIngs

OwensLake(dry)

extents + extinction the dry saline lakes of the mojave region

40 MILES0 10 20 30

Robin Abad Ocubillo

LAKE CROWLEY historic + existingLONG VALLEY DAM1941 - present650 acres

UPPER OWENS RIVER historic + modern

LOWER OWENS RIVER PROJECT modern2000 - present62 miles1,500 acres374 gals / second

LOWER OWENS RIVER historicprehistory - 1913

323,000 gals / second

LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT modern1934 - present419 miles long

228,000 gals / second to Los Angeles

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BISHOP CREEKhistoric + modern

20,854,490 gals/ year

COTTONWOOD CREEKhistoric + modern

BIRCH CREEKhistoric + modern

HAIWEE RESERVOIR modern

HOT CREEKhistoric + modern

BIG PINE CREEKhistoric + modern

16,907,011,351 gals / year

PLEISTOCENE LAKE SYSTEM of MOJAVE REGION

LAKE MANLYprehistoric

PANAMINTLAKE

prehistoirc416,000 acres

SEARLESSLAKE

prehistooric

CHINALAKE

prehistoirc

WH

ITE MO

UN

TAIN

S

TINEMAHA RESERVOIR modern1913 - present53,488 gals

BISHOP IRRIGATION CANALS historic1850s - 1950s

GLACIAL OWENS RIVER

WINGATE PASS

SEDIMENTARY INFILL prehistoric + modern< 10,000’ deepdepoisted in trench valley (’graben’) over millinia

diversion + dessication detailgraben geology section

OWENS VALLEY WATERSHED historic + modern75 mile long “graben”35 creeks on western slopes4 creeks on eastern slopes

diversion + dessication of local hydrologic resources

5 MILES0 321 4

PUMPING STATION modern2000 - present336 gals / second into mainline37.5 gals / second into delta

WATER MAINLINE modern2000 - present33 miles

LOWER OWENS RIVER PROJECT modern2000 - present62 miles1,500 acres374 gals / second

OWENS RIVER DELTA modern800 acres1.1% of lakebed37.5 gals / second received from LORP

DWP HEADQUARTERS2000 - presentSulfate Yard

HWY 39543.2 miles north to Bishop135 miles north to Mono Lake200 miles south to Los Angeles

HWY 136105 miles east to Death Valley235 miles to Las Vegas

LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT modern1934 - present419 miles long

228,000 gals / second to Los AngelesHWY 190105 miles east to Death Valley235 miles to Las Vegas

MAINLINE BERM ROAD modern30 miles long

SEEPS and SPRINGS historic + modern355 discrete locations469 acres0.64% of lakebed

SOUTH DIVERSION modern2000 - present

water diverted from aqueduct to mainline for dust control

COTTONWOOD CREEK historicdiversion to aqueduct modern

LAKE DIAZ modern1872 - present

TOWN of KEELER modern1880 - presentpopulation 66 (2010)

BRINE POOL modern1934 - present16,000 acres22% of lakebed

+ 3,553.55’ (2010)

DRY LAKEBED EXTENTS historicprehistory - 1930s71.71 mile perimeter72,940 acres

+3,554’ (1986)+3,565’ (1906)+3,597’ (1878)

OWENS RIVER historicprehistory - 1913

323,000 gals / second

NORTH DIVERSION modern2000 - present

water diverted from aqueduct to mainline for dust control

DUST CONTROL AREAS modern2000 - present27,520 acres38% of lakebed981 gals / second

TOWN of OLANCHA modern1880 - present

population 134 (2010)

Robin Abad Ocubillo

robIn AbAd ocubIllo 43


subject mAPPIngs

chrIs Arntz44


subject mAPPIngs

chrIs Arntz 45


subject mAPPIngs

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myVonwynn hoPton 47


subject mAPPIngs

myVonwynn hoPton

Precedents for design on the lake. The diagrams at the bottom code the suitability of each precedent to the Owens Lake.

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subject mAPPIngs

jennIFer regnIer 49


subject mAPPIngs

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jAmes lIVely 51


subject mAPPIngs

jennIFer renterIA52


subject mAPPIngs

jennIFer renterIA 53


subject mAPPIngs

gAbe mAson

Dust Control Measures at Owens Lake - E�ects Parameters & FuturesGabe Mason - ARCH 542A - Prof. Robinson

Managed VegetationElements Salinity Intensities & Water Flow

Phase Construction, DCMs, & Water Use

Best Potential Sitesfor Control Measures

Public Trust Values

Parametersof BACMConstruction

Salinity IntensityH

L

H

L

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Phase IV

Phase V

Phase VI

Phase VII

Managed Vegetation

Existing Dust Control Measures

Water Use

Shallow Flooding

Graveling

Graveling

Managed Vegetation

Shallow Flooding

Tillage (formerly Moat and Row)

Seeps and Springs

1 Mile

1 Mile

Variance of color gradient equivalent to 1’-0” rise/fall in elevation

Public Access

Habitat E�ects

Recreation

Height of Berms

Annual Water Use

Maintenance

Employment

Hybridity Potential YES!

Construction

Best Potential Sites

Dust Control E�ectiveness

Water

Capital Cost

Operations/MaintenaceCosts

*Total Project Capital Cost: >$520 Million

*City of Los Angeles buys water from the Metropoli-tan Water District at $450 per acre-foot

Annual Operation/Maintenance Costs: $17.5 Million

Materials/Infrastructure

View Shed

Increases habitat functions and values; welcomes diversity from shorebird species, rabbits, mice, foxes, coy-otes, gophers; Promotes growth of native plants

Resurrection of Owens Lake foodweb for resident shorebirds, and promotion of visiting wildlife; establish-ment of TAM which are habitat to Alkali Skipper and Owens Valley Tiger Beatle. Cattails (Typha spp.), sedges (Carex spp.), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and other species associated with saturated alkaline meadows of the region can colonize these areas to an extent

Increase in Mosquito populations; Possible negative impact to Brine Pool due to over�ow during storm events. However, the existing saline soil conditions inherent to the lake bed are poor conditions for most plants including exotic pest plants such as tamarisk, puncture weed and Russian thistle and noxious grasses such as Cenchrus.

Possible threat to existing TAM wetlands, shorebirds, and plant life

Increases public access in 360 degrees

Possible spread of invasive Salt Cedar (Tamarix ssp.) and Mosquitos; Possible threat to Snowy Plovers due to increase of predators and steep berms; Possible reduction of TAM

Increases public access through creation of rows/nodes maintenance roads to managed vegetation plots

Reduces possible recreation areas (though recreation is practically nonexistent on Owens Lake, so possible negative e�ects are minimal)

3,500 miles of drip irrigation tubing currently in use, 26,000,000 plants, salt grass plugs for starting growth, greenhouses, 14 pump stations, 1.2 miles of berms, 17 miles of roads, subsurface drainage systems under-neath each �eld collects irrigation �ows and removes high salinity shallow groundwater

7,300 shallow �ood bubblers; According to LADWP: 49.8 miles of roads/berms, 8 miles of 72” diameter steel trunkline, 18.2 miles of 30-54” diameter �berglass mainline, 150 miles of 6-12” diameter �berglass mainline, 300 miles of pipe (as large as 5’-0” in diameter), hundreds of miles of �ber optic cable, 4 control valve facilities, 10.6 miles of perforated drain line, 50.45 miles of 4-30” HDPE submain pipeline, 19 miles of 4-12” PVC lateral pipeline, 5 pump stations

Vegetation could add aesthetic value through increase of greeneryWater could resurrect aesthetic qualities of the former lake Flat grading of site could provide equal viewing opportunities anywhere

Dumptrucks; minimum 1/2”-1 1/2” gravel size; gravel obtained from Dolomite mine and others in the Inyo mountains, and a shale pit

Berms from managed vegetation possible disruption?

4-8’

2,560 acre-feet per square mile3-5 acre-feet per acre

Grading, addition of supplemental water outlets, berming to ensure uniform water cover, and prevention of water channeling, and regular maintenance of pipelines, valves, pumping equipment, berms, roads, and other infrastructure

Annually adding 7,000 cubic yards per square mile (complete gravel replacement every 50 years), visual monitoring to ensure gravel blanket does not �ll with sand or dust, or becomes �ooded, and add if necessary

Prior to planting leaching of soil to reduce salinity is necessary; Implentation of irrigation and fertilization schedules, drainage and vegetation monitoring, repair and replacement of irrigiation and drainage infra-structure

Sandy soils with low salinity; proximity to springs/seeps; Northern area of Owens Lake

With 75% surface water coverage of a designated area, dust control e�ectiveness was 99%With 50% plant coverage of live, dead, and/or dormant stems in a designated area, dust control e�ec-tiveness was 99%. Plant coverage can vary depending on clay or sandy soils, in that clay soils require less coverage than sandy soils.

The control e�ectiveness of a gravel blanket is 100%

Clay soils; proximity to springs/seeps; Southern area of Owens Lake Away from wetlands; unsaturated soils; West/Northwest perimeter of Owens Lake

Requires a lot of infrastructure for water transmission, distribution, outlet, excess water retention, collec-tion, redistribution, and the construction of electricalpower lines, access roads and water control berms to protect against wave erosion

Prior to planting irrigation and leaching water is applied to soil to reduce salinity. Typical Irrigation Layout for 40-acres of vegetation: implementing irrigation pipe layout, drip tube laterals, furrows, and �ush �elds. Construction may include 16’ wide perimeter service road

Prior to gravel deposition, the gravel area should be the last DCM installed to minimize deposi-tion of particles by wind (gravel area should already be surrounded by non-emissive areas); additional construciton of �ood control berms, drainage channels, basins is also necessary

960 acre-feet per square mile1.5 acre-feet per acre

One full-time employee per 580 acres of �ooded area One full-time employee per 5 square miles One full-time employee per 230 acres of vegetated area

$460,000 per square mile $1,240,000 per square mile $0 per square mile

$22,000,000 per square mile

0 acre-feet per square mile

Sheet Flooding: 3-4’Pond Flooding: 4-8’

0’

Berms from Shallow Flooding possible disruption? Minimal light glare from re�ecting water

Possible increase in water related recreational activities? (Negative e�ects are minimal as none exists currently)

Reduces possible recreation areas (though recreation is practically nonexistent on Owens Lake, so possible negative e�ects are minimal)

Color must be the same as lakebed; Homogenous surface could reduce aesthetic quality (though Owens Lake surface currently looks somewhat homogenous due to salt crust)

Increases public access through creation of maintenance roads

+

-

+

-

Shallow Flooding

Lakebed Low Point+

Neutral

Positive/Negative E�ects of Elements

_

Managed Vegetation

Existing Dust Control Measures

Shallow Flooding

Graveling


Managed Vegetation

Proposed Dust Control Measure Areas

Shallow Flooding

Graveling


$12,900,000 per square mile$15,00,000 per square mile

1 Mile

1 Mile

Salinity Intensities & Lakebed Water Sources

Gravel Blanket

Dust Control Measures at Owens Lake - E�ects Parameters & Futures Gabe Mason - ARCH 542A - Prof. Robinson

54


subject mAPPIngs

The Great Basin Unified Air Pollution District :Limits emissions and requires that reasonable precautions be taken to control dust emissions from activities such as road building, grading, gravel mining and hauling. Any gravel mining and hauling activities will be required to apply for an Authority to Construct and obtain a Permit to Operate from the GBUAPCD. The permit will include Conditions of Approval. 2008 Owens Valley PM10 Planning Area Demonstration of Attainment State Implementation Plan

Solar Potential

Solar resource x solar cell • efficiency x area of module = energy output per day (kWh)Local weather data shows 89% • sunny daysCapacity of existing • transmission lines and corridors Great Basin Unified Air • Pollution District requires 99% sheltering of the solar array panel area in order to achieve compliance.

Owens Lake Planning Committee, Owens Lake Solar Development June, 2010

Turnout

Los Angeles Aqueduct

Highways 2-4 lane / 24-175’ w

Service Roads 1-lane / 10’ w

Access road 1-lane / 15’ w

Gravel

Managed Vegetation

Ponding

Shallow Flooding

Solar Power (Lease)

Grazing (Lease)

Agriculture (Lease)

GBUAPCD Monitor Sites

Towns of Keeler, Lone Pine and Olancha

Air Quality Control

Sand flux is measured with Sensits and Cox Sand Catchers. Data measures hourly sand flux rates at different locations on the lake bed. Sensits are electronic sensors, placed 5.75 inches above the lake bed surface, that measure the kinetic energy of sand-sized particles as they make contact with the sensor surface. 2008 Owens Valley PM10 Planning Area Demonstration of Attainment State Implementation Plan

OWENS LAKE LAND USE / MOBILITY / REGULATION

Standard 4-WD / 6’ w

Service Vehicle / 10’ w

Utility Vehicle / 8’ w

Compact Vehicle / 5’ w

Standard Bicycle Lane / 4’ w

Towns of Keeler, Lone Pine and Olancha

Pedestrian Lane / 3’ w

Safety Vehicle / 8’ w

spans 31.8 miles

5 - 7% slopes are ideal for wa-ter retention

0.14 sq. miles @ $22 million/sq.mile3.7 sq. miles @ 960 acre-feet/mileminimal sq. miles

35.2 sq. miles @ 2m569 /acre-feet/mile

Los Angeles AqueductHighways 395/190/136

DWP Mainline1 ft. contour

Gravel

Managed Vegetation

PondingShallow Flooding

Lower Owens River Project, wetland delineation

*Owens Lake portion of LORP water segment is released in an annual seasonal

(April - July) habitat flow of up to 200 cf/s;

** The City of Los Angeles is required to provide a base flow of 40 cubic

feet per second (cf/s)

2010-11 Owens Valley Projected Water Distribution(acre-feet)

*

**

OWENS LAKE WATER USE / VOLUME / FLOW

Spring Shoulder Season — May 16 through June 30The average temperature for Keeler in June is March is 78°F. Higher air temperatures and more solar radiation mean that more of the water applied to DCM areas is lost to evaporation.

Fall Shoulder Season — October 1 through October 15The first two weeks of October are not a period when the lake bed typically experi-ences highly emissive conditions; therefore, to conserve water resources, full levels of dust control will not be required until Octo-ber 16.

The residual minerals resulting from

the evaporation of the freshwater is

deemed to be insignificant given the

extremely high salinity of existing

surface waters; however, the Water

Quality Monitoring and Reporting

Program shall monitor operational

water volumes and flows, and analyze

the quality of project surface waters

and groundwater.

Topographically, the bed of Owens Lake is relatively flat with only 50 feet of topographic relief from the historic shore to the lowest portion of the lake bed (3553.53 MS).2008 State Implementation Plan Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact ReportSeptember 16, 2007 Sapphos Environmental, Inc Page 3.5-6

DWP Mainline carries up to 80 PSI

Submain pipelines carry 40 PSILateral pipelines carry 13 PSI

AdrIAn suzukI 55


subject mAPPIngs

lIn wAng56


subject mAPPIngs

57

GROuP viewshed anaLysisGroups of students were assigned to evalu-ate views of the lake along the major roads around and through the site, including 395,190, 136 and on the mainline. Students used the Forest Service methodology and their own layout and representations.

Olancha

Lone Pine

Cartago

Keeler

HWY 136

HWY 190

HWY 395

LEGEND

Historic Shoreline

Highway

DWP Dust Mitigation BACMs

Shallow Flooding, etc.

Managed Vegetation, etc.

Gravel

Wetland;s All Types

Inyo_Towns0 1 2 3 40.5Miles

C u m u l a t i v e Tr a c k sWidth of site visit GPS track points are sized by speed of car, value weighted by the number of people in the car and summed to create a gradrient isohyetal mapping from cool to warm colors (warmer = more people observing).

Tracks Included:

Saturday 9/11Audobon Tour (10)

Sunday 9/12Cartago Group (3)Dirty Socks Group (3)Keeler Group (3)Alex Robinson (1)

Monday 9/13DWP Tour (10)

FOREGROUND EXPERIENCE WEIGHTED CUMULATIVE SITE VISIT TRACKSeptember 11-13th. 10 people. 4 Cars. 4 GPSes. 25 hours. 419 mi les.

60


grouP VIewshed AnAlysIs

dIrty socks grouPMyvOnwynn HOptOn

JaMes lively

adrian suzuki

keeler grouPJennifer reGnier

Gabe MasOn

lin wanG

cArtAgo grouPrObin abad OcubillO

Jennifer renteria

cHris arntz

To guide and geographical place their work students employed GPS units loaded with custom maps of the lake to navigate the over 100 miles of roads surveyed.

61



dIrty socks grouP62



dIrty socks grouP 63



64



The Dirty Socks group studied the southern 1/3rd of the mainline, middle section of the 395, and the portion of the 190 and 136 near the DWP Sulfate Facility.




Each group also examined a number of panoramas and approxi-mated the amount of area that is visible from each, in the foreground, middleground and background.

66






The Keeler group studied the southern section of the 190, southern section of the 395 and the northern 1/3rd of the mainline.

68



keeler grouP 69



70



keeler grouP 71



keeler grouP

Each group also examined a number of panoramas and approxi-mated the amount of area that is visible from each, in the foreground, middleground and background.

72



keeler grouP 73



Points of Interest . Viewshed Analyses . Owens Lake

VERY HIGH HIGH MODERATE LOW VERY LOW

DISTINCTIVE TYPICAL INDISTINCTIVE

GROUND AVERAGE

FOREGROUND

MIDDLEGROUND

BACKGROUND


FOREGROUNDDISTINCTIVE

MIDDLEGROUNDDISTINCTIVE

BACKGROUNDDISTINCTIVE

FOREGROUNDTYPICAL

MIDDLEGROUNDTYPICAL

BACKGROUNDTYPICAL

FOREGROUNDINDISTINCTIVE

MIDDLEGROUNDINDISTINCTIVE

AQUEDUCT HIGHWAY OWENS RIVER MAINLINE HISTORICSHORELINE

BACKGROUNDINDISTINCTIVE


3800

3550

3750

3700

3600

3650

2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 8.07.0 7.55.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 7.05.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.05.04.54.03.0 3.5 5.53500

a

fedc

j

om n

k

l

b

i

h

g

SWANSEARUINSRELICSDOLOMITEMINE

OWENS RIVER DELTA

OWENS RIVERALABAMA HILLSHUMAN HABITATION

PLATEGLASS FACTORY“THE GEYSER”

BIRD HABITATRUINSSALT ENCRUSTATIONINFRASTRUCTUREALGAE POOLS

a b c d e

f g h i j

k l m n o

74



cArtAgo grouP

Left: view shed analysis modifies the existing forest surface standard methodology with the edition of English picturesque technology. This layout shows the section between miles two and ten of the 395.

Points of Interest . Viewshed Analyses . Owens Lake



GROUND AVERAGE

FOREGROUND

MIDDLEGROUND

BACKGROUND





FOREGROUNDTYPICAL

MIDDLEGROUNDTYPICAL

BACKGROUNDTYPICAL






3800

3550

3750

3700

3600

3650

2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 8.07.0 7.55.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 7.05.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.05.04.54.03.0 3.5 5.53500

a

fedc

j

om n

k

l

b

i

h

g

SWANSEARUINSRELICSDOLOMITEMINE

OWENS RIVER DELTA

OWENS RIVERALABAMA HILLSHUMAN HABITATION

PLATEGLASS FACTORY“THE GEYSER”

BIRD HABITATRUINSSALT ENCRUSTATIONINFRASTRUCTUREALGAE POOLS

a b c d e

f g h i j

k l m n o

75



1-mile Resolution . Viewshed Analyses . Owens Lake

FOREGROUND

MIDGROUND

BACKGROUND

MAINLINE southbound HWY 136 southboundHWY 395 northbound

3800

3550

3750

3700

3600

3650

2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 8.07.0 7.55.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 7.05.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.05.04.54.03.0 3.5 5.53500

3800

3550

3750

3700

3600

3650

2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 8.07.0 7.55.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 7.05.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.05.04.54.03.0 3.5 5.53500

3800

3550

3750

3700

3600

3650

2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 8.07.0 7.55.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 7.05.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.05.04.54.03.0 3.5 5.53500



GROUND AVERAGE

FOREGROUND

MIDDLEGROUND

BACKGROUND





FOREGROUNDTYPICAL

MIDDLEGROUNDTYPICAL

BACKGROUNDTYPICAL






76



cArtAgo grouP

1-mile Resolution . Viewshed Analyses . Owens Lake

FOREGROUND

MIDGROUND

BACKGROUND

MAINLINE southbound HWY 136 southboundHWY 395 northbound

3800

3550

3750

3700

3600

3650

2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 8.07.0 7.55.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 7.05.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.05.04.54.03.0 3.5 5.53500

3800

3550

3750

3700

3600

3650

2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 8.07.0 7.55.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 7.05.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.05.04.54.03.0 3.5 5.53500

3800

3550

3750

3700

3600

3650

2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 8.07.0 7.55.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.55.04.54.03.0 3.5 7.05.5 6.0 2.52.01.51.00.0 0.5 6.05.04.54.03.0 3.5 5.53500



GROUND AVERAGE

FOREGROUND

MIDDLEGROUND

BACKGROUND





FOREGROUNDTYPICAL

MIDDLEGROUNDTYPICAL

BACKGROUNDTYPICAL






77



Panoramas . Viewshed Analyses . Owens Lake

MAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroadsMAINLINE crossroads

MAINLINEMAINLINEMAINLINEMAINLINEMAINLINEMAINLINEMAINLINEMAINLINEMAINLINEMAINLINE

from the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadasfrom the Sierra Nevadas

N O R T H

SOUTH

WEST

N O R T H

N O R T H

EAST

N O R T H

N O R T H

EAST

WEST

Panoramas . Viewshed Analyses . Owens Lake

HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395

HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395HWY 395

HWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River DeltaHWY 136 Owens River Delta

N O R T H

SOUTH

EAST

WEST

WEST

EAST

N O R T H

SOUTH

EAST

N O R T H

SOUTH

cArtAgo grouP

The Cartago Group studied the middle 1/3rd of the mainline, northern section of the 395 and northern section of the 136. Each group also examined a number of panoramas and approximated the amount of area that is visible from each, in the foreground, middleground and background.

78



79



PanORama anaLysisPanorama analysis examined in more depth the values of a single panorama.

roads

aqueduct

lakebed

viewpoint

190

395

136

infrastructural landscape an viewshed analysis of the altered environment of the owens lakebed

attractivness ‘DISTINCTIVE’ integrity ‘VERY LOW’

attractivness ‘TYPICAL’ integrity ‘VERY LOW’

attractivness ‘TYPICAL’ integrity ‘HIGH’

OBJECTS and RELICS

STAGING AREAS

ROADS and BERMS

SHALLOW FLOOD BASINS

FOREGROUND

MIDGROUND

BACKGROUND

Robin Abad Ocubillo

SOUTH

EAST

WEST

NORTH

BERM ROADT28N / T28S1.6 miles to terminus

BERM ROADT28S / T262 miles to terminus

TAIL WATER VAULTSaccess wells at the low end of T28 basin

T28 ROAD SIGNhuman and auto wayfinding

ELECTRIC LINE MARKERS“warning: high voltage underground power cable”

HIGH VOLTAGE BOXhouses electric controls

WATER TRUCK FILL STATIONrefills trucks which sprayroads to control dust

STILL WELL CONDUITSequalizes water levels in T28S flood basinwith smaller still well

REGULATORY SIGN“stay off berm”

MOUNDsoil, granite, gravel

DRAIN LINE CLEANOUTused with vacuum truck


SAFETY? CONESmobile bollards

RELIEF VALVEreleases excess

pressure from water main

FLOW METERSmonitors water volumeCOMFORT? STATIONrecieves emergency release of human biowaste

AIR VACextracts air from line

BOLLARD

T28N FLOOD BASIN475 acres

T28N FLOOD BASIN

STILL WELLeliminates false water elevation readings from wave action

T26 FLOOD BASIN580 acres

TRIANGLEeast corner

T27S FLOOD BASIN537 acres

SUMP


CATHODE BOXmonitors electric

mainline

FLOOD EMITTERS4” pvc

STA. 4 SIGNhuman wayfinding


MAINLINEsouthbound17.25 miles to hwy 395

MAINLINEnorthbound5.7 miles to owens river delta9.5 miles to hwy 395

MAINLINEnorthbound

5.7 miles to owens river delta9.5 miles to hwy 395

BERM ROADT27S / T27N1.7 miles to terminus


PUMP STATION T26north corner

PUMP STATION T27west corner

INYO MOUNTAINS

COSO RANGE

SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS

ALABAMA HILLS


FLOOD FLOW EMITTERS4” pvc

DRAIN LINEcollects water at low point for recirculation

‘HONEY WELL’filters fluid used in hydrolic controls

GATE VALVEaccess well forburied valve




ELECTRIC LINE MARKERS“warning: high voltage

underground power cable”

82


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

roads

aqueduct

lakebed

viewpoint

190

395

136

infrastructural landscape an viewshed analysis of the altered environment of the owens lakebed

attractivness ‘DISTINCTIVE’ integrity ‘VERY LOW’

attractivness ‘TYPICAL’ integrity ‘VERY LOW’

attractivness ‘TYPICAL’ integrity ‘HIGH’

OBJECTS and RELICS

STAGING AREAS

ROADS and BERMS

SHALLOW FLOOD BASINS

FOREGROUND

MIDGROUND

BACKGROUND

Robin Abad Ocubillo

SOUTH

EAST

WEST

NORTH

BERM ROADT28N / T28S1.6 miles to terminus

BERM ROADT28S / T262 miles to terminus

TAIL WATER VAULTSaccess wells at the low end of T28 basin

T28 ROAD SIGNhuman and auto wayfinding


HIGH VOLTAGE BOXhouses electric controls

WATER TRUCK FILL STATIONrefills trucks which sprayroads to control dust

STILL WELL CONDUITSequalizes water levels in T28S flood basinwith smaller still well

REGULATORY SIGN“stay off berm”




SAFETY? CONESmobile bollards

RELIEF VALVEreleases excess

pressure from water main

FLOW METERSmonitors water volumeCOMFORT? STATIONrecieves emergency release of human biowaste

AIR VACextracts air from line

BOLLARD


T28N FLOOD BASIN

STILL WELLeliminates false water elevation readings from wave action

T26 FLOOD BASIN580 acres

TRIANGLEeast corner


SUMP


CATHODE BOXmonitors electric

mainline

FLOOD EMITTERS4” pvc

STA. 4 SIGNhuman wayfinding


MAINLINEsouthbound17.25 miles to hwy 395

MAINLINEnorthbound5.7 miles to owens river delta9.5 miles to hwy 395

MAINLINEnorthbound

5.7 miles to owens river delta9.5 miles to hwy 395

BERM ROADT27S / T27N1.7 miles to terminus


PUMP STATION T26north corner

PUMP STATION T27west corner

INYO MOUNTAINS

COSO RANGE

SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS

ALABAMA HILLS


FLOOD FLOW EMITTERS4” pvc

DRAIN LINEcollects water at low point for recirculation

‘HONEY WELL’filters fluid used in hydrolic controls





ELECTRIC LINE MARKERS“warning: high voltage

underground power cable”

robIn AbAd ocubIllo

This analysis examines the infrastructure present in a panoramic view.

83


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

chrIs Arntz84


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

myVonwynn hoPton 85


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

jAmes lIVely86


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

jennIFer regnIer 87


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

88


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

jennIFer renterIA

The panorama examines what is visible from the Horseshow Meadow Road.

89


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

90


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

gAbe mAson 91


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

AdrIAn suzukI92


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

Observation of Sunlight Patterns

7:30 pm

6:30 pm

6:30 pm

7:30 pm

Warm and Cold Color in Light and Shade

Precedent Study of Sun Marker in Chaco Canyon

Summer Solstice

Shape of the ShadowAlbert Bierstadt (1830-1902)

Evening at Owens Lake

Sunrise Sunset

Background

Middleground

Foreground

6:30 pm 7:30 pm 8:30 pm12:00 pm6:30 am6:00 am5:30 am

80 F

70 F

50 FWind Direction

7 mph

Best Time/Positionfor Observation

shadow of mountain at 7:30 pm

View on Sierra Mountian at 6:30 pm on September 12th, 2010

The colors of mountains, vegetations, water and salt bed are different in the light and shade. Some of the colors will fade away as time pass by.

The line of shadow

Color in lightFrom 6:30 to 7:30

Color in ShadeFrom 6:30 to 7:30

N

TRACING SUN LIGNT -Panaroma Analysis for Owens Lake Lin Wang

The light and shade can be an iterpretation of time

color of sunlight color of mountains color of vegetations color of salt bed and desert color of water

shadow of mountain at 6:30 pm

lIn wAng 93


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

POstCaRdsStudents were assigned to produce a postcard of what a tourist might share with their friends and family following a visit to Owens Dry Lake in the future. Each postcard relates to a subject that was the focus of their studies.

190

395

136

thousands of migrating shorebirds flock to Owens Lake Seasonal Marshlands every spring and autumn

Owens LakeBrine Pool

Owens Lake Vernal Marshlands

Horseshoe MeadowsRoad Lookout

Olancha

Lone Pine

Keeler

postcard proofs

Springtime at Owens Lake!

Robin Abad Ocubillo Chris Arntz

96


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

Myvonwynn HoptonTop: James Lively

Bottom: Adrian Suzuki

97


PAnorAmA AnAlysIs

Jennifer Regnier Jennifer Renteria

98


PostcArds

Place

Stamp

Here

Developing a better system of dust control is of paramount importance. Positioning water conservation, viewshed enhancement, habitat preservation, recreation, and access will be key components in the rebuilding of the Owens Valley

Recognizing that water has been its timeless attraction, the current existence of the delta in the north should be nurtured and grown, catalyzing nature blooms that will be wide in scope and rich in depth

Alternating dust control measures can reduce costs and resources, while enriching views, welcoming wildlife, and providing access and recreational opportunities.

Post Card

Before

Post Card Front

Post Card Back

Gabe Mason Lin Wang

99


PostcArds

site imPRessiOnsFollowing our visit, each student was asked to document their intitial impressions of the site.

WIND

WEND

WANDER

WINDANoe. to turn, twist

WENDHpie. to turn,

weave

WENDASpgr. blowing

CORROSION

EROSION

RUDEREl. to gnaw away

ÉRODERf. to wear away

DETRIUS

DETRIMENT

TEREREl. to wear away

DETRIMENTmf. harmfully

DETRIUSl. matter produced

by erosion

WASTE

WESTENoe. a desert

VASTUMl. waste

DESOLATE

SOLUSl. alone

l. SOLAREto make lonely

RUIN

RUINAl. a collapse

VANTAonf. to lack

VACAREl. to void,

empty

WANT

VANUSl. idle, empty

of. VEINworthless

DESERT

of. wilderness, destruction, waste, ruin

me. waterless, treeless region

RELIC

RELINQUISH

RELICTdried up

RELICTION

RELIQUUSl. remnants

RELIQUIASoe. remains

VAST

DEVASTATION

VASTUSl. empty, deso-

late

VASTAREl. to empty,

deprive

DIVEST

VASTERonf. to spoil, ruin

EXTENSIVE

EXTENDEREl. to lengthen

TENDEREl. to strain,

stretch

EXTENSIVUSl. stretched, spread

STERILE

STEREOSgk. firm, solid

stiff, hard

STÉRILEmf. not

bearing fruit

skt. STARIHa barren cow

landscape etymology

landscape as language

language across landscape

landscape evolution

language evolution

HEAT

HAITANpgr. heat

HOT

HAITAZpgr. hot

HITZEgr. hot

HAToe. fierce

ABRASIVE

RAZE

RAZDpie. to scrape

RADEREl. to scrape,

scratch

INFRASTRUCTURE

STEREpie. to spread,

extend,stretch out

STRNOTIskt. strews, throw down

STREOWIANoe. to sprinkle, strew

SRATw. plain

DESTRUCTION

STRUCTURE

STRAUJANgth. to sprinkle, strew

DRY

DREUGpie. barren

gthskt

w

oe

pie pgr

l

of

me

f

gr mf

onf

gk

gothicsanskrit

welsh

old english

proto indo-european proto-germanic

latin

old french

middle english

french

german middle french

old north french

greek

VACANT

HAZE

Robin Abad Ocubillo

Robin Abad Ocubillo

102


sIte ImPressIons

Adrian Suzuki

103


sIte ImPressIons

Myvonwynn Hopton

104


sIte ImPressIons

Jennifer Regnier

105


sIte ImPressIons

Impressions of Owens Valley Gabe Mason ARCH 542A - Prof. Robinson

A variance of shrubs, salt flats, soil, and water add aesthetic beauty to what is now a quasi-controlled environment

Cattle grazing in southern Owens Lake echoes the pastoral qualities of the past, but the powerlines do not

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s pump station #4 buttresses the adjacent wetland area

Hundreds of powerlines throughout the lake support dust control measures adulterate natural views

A view of Owens Lake from Ranch De La Cour illustrates the arbitrarily placed patches of the dust control quilt

Gabe Mason Jennifer Renteria

106


sIte ImPressIons

SALT on the dry lake bed is a unique charactor on Owenslkae. Varies apperances of the salt can be seen when the landscape is added with different textures.

Lin Wang

107


sIte ImPressIons

ow

en

s l

ak

e s

tu

dio

fa

ll

2010, un

ive

rs

ity

of

so

ut

he

rn

ca

lif

or

nia

owens lake studio fall 2010

university of southern california

Documents

Owens Lake Studio 2010