Ancient lake reappears in Death Valley after record-breaking rains

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Marina DunbarDecember 12, 2025 at 10:24 PM

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Record-breaking rains in Death Valley National Park, California, have caused the temporary reappearance of an ancient lake, informally known as Lake Manly, in the Badwater Basin. The basin, the lowest point in North America, received more rainfall between September and November than it typically does in a year, surpassing previous records. While smaller than the lake formed by Hurricane Hilary in 2021, this event offers a glimpse of how the desert landscape looked millennia ago when the original Lake Manly stretched nearly 100 miles. The recent weather events, including extreme heat and flooding, highlight the environmental shifts occurring in Death Valley, raising concerns about the impact on native flora and fauna. It is currently unknown if the conditions will lead to a superbloom of wildflowers, as seen in 2016.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

California ×250% National Park Service 60% Lake Manly ×380% Death Valley National Park ×4100%

Keywords

death valley 100% record-breaking rains 90% ancient lake 80% lake manly 70% extreme weather 60% precipitation 60% heat records 50% climate change 50% environmental shifts 40%