Soda Lake

Sola Lake

 

At 3,000 acres, Soda Lake is one of the largest undisturbed alkali wetlands in the state. It provides important habitat for migratory birds, such as black-necked stilts, avocets, killdeer, and, on occasion, white pelican.

 

In the late 1800s the lakebed was mined for the significant mineral content found in the black mud beneath the salt crust. Because the lake is self-contained, with no outlet, the water evaporates in the summer. The remaining salts form a glistening expanse that appears to ripple and sway in the heat. Only 9% consists of table salt, another 9% is miscellaneous salt, while 82% is sodium sulfate (useful for preserving meats, creating salt licks for cattle, and making detergent, soap, and glass).

 

In 1908 the Carrisa Chemical Company constructed a processing plant here that could recover 600 tons of sodium sulfate each month. After processing, the salts were sacked and hauled approximately 35 miles to McKittrick for distribution.

 

Submitted by: Eric Goodill