Soap Lake Sets Record

The lowest recorded water level for Soap Lake was measured in 1939. It has now been eclipsed by a few inches and 2005 holds this dubious distinction.

While not everyone is pleased with this fact, the lake has exposed an interesting and normally hidden  feature. This is the presence of numerous calcium formations known as tufa which grow exclusively underwater. Tufa are porous rock-like calcium growths (essentially limestone) which, in Soap Lake, vary in size from a few inches in diameter to a reef-like ridge several hundred feet in length. The  largest single tufa formation is 10 feet in diameter and over 6 feet in height with about 1 foot showing above lake  level. (click on the photo to the right for a larger image) This formation has a year round spring flowing from the top and is locally known as the "Soap Lake Volcano". The growth of tufa requires an alkaline lake fed by underwater springs. The spring water is slightly acidic and carries dissolved calcium carbonate. When the spring and lake waters mix, a neutralizing reaction occurs which causes the calcium carbonate to precipitate and form these growths. The most spectacular tufa formations occur in Mono Lake, California where some reach as much as 30 feet in height.

Photos of Soap Lake and Article by Dwight Hoy of the Conservancy. Photo of Mono Lake © 2005 Ian Young. www.iay.org.uk

Copyright © 2006 The Soap Lake Conservancy. All rights reserved.  including all text and images unless otherwise referenced

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