Infos zum Death Valley NP

Scotty's Castle Projects Pass Environmental Assessment

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The National Park Service (NPS) has completed its final environmental reviews of proposed projects to repair flood damage at Scotty’s Castle. Meanwhile, work has already started on projects approved earlier. The popular historic site could be partially open by late 2020 and is expected to be fully open by late 2021.

A severe flash flood on the night of October 18, 2015 sent water, mud, and rocks rushing down Grapevine Canyon. The flood broke through the walls of the historic Garage, in use by the NPS as the site’s visitor center, and filled it with four feet of debris. Two other historic buildings were damaged by the flood. The main house escaped the path of the flood, but bore lesser damage from water intrusion from heavy rain.

The NPS prepared two environmental assessments (EAs), each of which addressed different proposed actions to repair flood-damaged infrastructure in Grapevine Canyon. The Bonnie Clare Road Reconstruction EA was finalized in May 2018, and approved proposals to reconstruct 7.6 miles of Bonnie Clare Road, install 4,000 feet of waterline under the road, reconstruct damaged portions of the historic concrete and wire fence, and stabilize the historic bridge and gatehouse.
Road and Highway Builders started work in December 2018 on all four of these projects under contract managed by Federal Highways Administration.

The Scotty’s Castle Flood Rehabilitation EA was finalized on March 12, 2019. Some proposed actions approved in this EA include repairing historic structures, replacing components utility systems, building a second public restroom, building flood control structures, and building a cooling tower for a replacement heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system. This EA completes the legal requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), but each project will need additional review to meet requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

“This is where things can get tricky,” said Abby Wines, spokesperson for Death Valley National Park. “Sometimes we have to make trade-offs. In a few cases, we are proposing significant changes to the historic district in order to protect the historic district. A purest might say that we shouldn’t build any berms, flood walls, or shallow channels because they weren’t in the historic district during the 1920s. But if we don’t build flood control structures, we risk losing a lot more in the next major flood. It would be great if we could magically protect the site without changing a thing, but it’s not possible.”

If things go smoothly, several major contracts should be awarded within the next 6 months.

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Tourist dies in Death Valley as temperatures soar above 120 degrees

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A tourist has died while visiting Death Valley National Park amid blazing summer heat.
The National Park Service says the visitor was reported to be non-responsive at 6 p.m. Tuesday and she died before emergency responders arrived at the location south of Badwater. Her name wasn't released.
The cause of death is being investigated by Inyo County authorities, but the Park Service notes Death Valley has been having temperatures above 120 degrees.
It was the second death in three days in the Mojave Desert park, where two of the most common reasons for emergency responses are single-vehicle accidents and heat illnesses.
Summer visitors are urged to drink at least one gallon of water per day and watch for trouble signs including dizziness, nausea and headaches.

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Death Valley National Park Celebrates 25th Anniversary

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Death Valley National Park is hosting special programs and events in celebration of the park’s 25th birthday October 26 –November 2. On November 2, the park will waive entrance fees.

Death Valley was first protected as a national monument in 1933. On October 31, 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the California Desert Protection Act, which created Death Valley National Park, designated over 90% of the park as wilderness, and added 1.3 million acres to the park. The Act also redesignated Joshua Tree as a national park and established Mojave National Preserve.

Geologists, biologists, astronomers, and other specialists will share their knowledge of desert ecology, dark skies, and natural history from October 26 through November 2.

A ranger-led sunrise hike will meet at Zabriskie Point at 7:00 a.m. on October 27. Astronomy programs will be offered at Harmony Borax Works from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on October 26 and 28.

Park entrance fees will be waived on Saturday, November 2. The public is invited to join Superintendent Mike Reynolds for a 5 kilometer fun run/walk at 8:00 a.m. at Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Wish the park happy birthday with cupcakes at noon in Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Neighboring organizations and partners will have exposition booths set up at the Visitor Center from 12:00-1:00 and 3:00-5:00. Former Death Valley superintendents will answer questions and speak about the California Desert Protection Act from 1:00-3:00 in the auditorium.

“This is one of the largest celebrations Death Valley National Park has hosted,” notes Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “We are fortunate to have a number of knowledgeable guest speakers who are coming to the park specifically for this series of events. It’s a unique opportunity for the public to learn about this incredible park.”

All programs are free and open to the public. Close-toed shoes are recommended for hikes, which are on uneven terrain. Bring sun protection and water for daytime programs, and a headlamp, warm clothing, and a chair for evening programs.

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Scotty's Castle Flood - 4 Years Later

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Repairs at Scotty’s Castle are progressing as the four-year anniversary of the flood approaches. The National Park Service (NPS) plans to reopen the popular historic site in October 2021.

Scotty’s Castle received close to its annual average rainfall in five hours on October 18, 2015. The resulting flash flood caused an estimated $47 million in damages to roads, buildings, and utilities in the historic district. That much funding is not coming from a single source all at once. The park is receiving funds from park entrance fees, Federal Highways Administration, NPS deferred maintenance accounts, and donations spread over multiple years.

Once consequence of patching together funding is that Death Valley is managing the repairs of Scotty’s Castle as discrete projects, each focused on single buildings or utility systems with its own funding. There isn’t a single general contractor for all repairs at Scotty’s Castle. Designs are done by architecture and engineering firms. Other companies handle construction. Each project is progressing on its own schedule, depending on design complexity, potential impacts to natural or cultural resources, and unplanned issues.

Design is beginning now to repair the Chimes Tower, address potential fuel leaks from five underground storage tanks, and to repair the water distribution system.

Designs are nearly completed on two critical projects: replacing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and constructing berms and flood walls to direct future floods away from the historic buildings.

Each project’s next step is for specialists to review the design documents for impacts to the historic district. The Visitor Center project is under review currently. During the design phase, engineers determined that the only way to protect the historic Garage (which serves as the Visitor Center) from side drainage flooding is to build a 2-foot-high flood wall near the building’s northwest corner. Another planned change is to widen a 3-foot opening in a breezeway in the L-shaped building’s corner to allow future floods to pass through without getting forced through windows, doors, and walls into the building. The NPS and the California State Historic Preservation Officer are on the verge of signing an agreement on plans to mitigate these impacts.

Some projects were recently completed. Articulated concrete blocks and other erosion-control features were installed around the historic bridge. The surrounding landscape was scoured down eight feet, exposing the bridge’s foundation. This work will prevent damage from future floods at this pinch-point where flood speeds were fastest. About a mile of historic concrete fence posts were reconstructed and installed. Like the original posts, they are stamped with “S” and “J” for Scotty and Johnson. Unlike the historic posts, the reproductions are also stamped with “2019” to distinguish them from the intact original posts.

Construction began in September to replace destroyed components of the water system, install a new leach field and septic tank, and upgrade the electrical system.

Bonnie Clare Road reconstruction has been in progress for about a year. Federal Highway Administration designed “armor” for the road to protect it from future floods. For example, 3-foot-tall concrete barricades are buried under the pavement edge with large boulders backfilled against them. When water runs across the road in these locations, this will prevent the water from scouring down through the shoulder, undercutting the road, then washing away the road.

Bonnie Clare Road is closed from the park boundary (where it transitions to NV-267) through Grapevine Canyon to the junction with North Highway and Ubehebe Crater Road. The road will remain closed during other construction projects at Scotty’s Castle due to safety hazards.

During this continued closure, there are limited opportunities to visit Scotty’s Castle with a park ranger, learn about the site’s colorful history, and witness the work in progress to repair the historic district. Tours are offered on Sundays from December 8 through April 12. Reservations are required in advance at http://www.dvnha.org.

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Death Valley issues plea to park visitors after another major crash

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Death Vally National Park is asking visitors to exercise more caution on roadways in the wake of four serious car crashes in recent weeks.
The latest occurred last Monday, when a motorist drifted into oncoming traffic on CA-190 east of Stovepipe Wells, causing a head-on collision.

Two people were air-lifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Three others were transported by ambulance with moderate injuries.
The collision, involving a Kia Optima and Chevrolet Malibu, occurred in the evening.
According to a park news release issued Thursday, 11 visitors have been injured and one person was killed in recent traffic accidents inside the park.

Additionally, one motorist was killed and seven others were injured as a result of a head-on collision Dec. 20 on CA-190, just east of the park.
The park stated in the news release: “Winter is an exceptional time to visit Death Valley and the park received extremely high visitation over the Christmas and New Years weeks.
“Park staff remind visitors to wear their seat belts, drive within the speed limit, pass only when safe, and be courteous to other drivers on the road.”

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Wetterstation im Death Valley in Kalifornien misst 54,4 Grad

Es ist noch nicht offiziell, aber laut einem Bericht könnte es einen neuen Hitze-Rekord geben. Eine Wetterstation im Death Valley hat das Temperatur-Extrem aufgezeichnet.

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In Deutschland klettert die Anzeige des Thermometers in diesen Tagen über die 30 Grad. Wem das heiß vorkommt, war noch nicht im Death Valley im US-Bundesstaat Kalifornien. Dort hatte es am Sonntag 54,4 Grad (130 Grad Fahrenheit). Das berichtet die englische Zeitung "The Guardian". Demnach glauben Experten, dass es sich dabei um den höchsten Wert handeln könnte, der jemals auf der Welt aufgezeichnet wurde.
Gemessen hat dieses Temperatur-Extrem dem Bericht zufolge der Nationale Wetterdienst der USA (NWS) am Sonntagnachmittag um 15.41 Uhr an der Grenze zum Bundesstaat Nevada. Der Wert, den die Wetterstation automatisch aufzeichne, müsse allerdings noch überprüft und offiziell bestätigt werden, teilte der NWS Las Vegas mit.
Zum letzten Mal wurde ein annähernd so hoher Wert im Juli 1913, ebenfalls im Death Valley, aufgezeichnet. Damals zeigte die Temperaturanzeige 129 Grad Fahrenheit an.

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Scotty's Castle Update

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It has been five years since a flash flood devastated historic structures and utilities at Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) has completed several projects, but reopening is still about two years away.

Scotty’s Castle and the adjacent road are closed to the public until repairs are complete, likely December 2022. Death Valley Natural History Association will offer a limited number of tours this winter to see Scotty’s Castle, learn about the flood and the recovery effort. Once the schedule is finalized, information will be posted at dvnha.org.

A massive flash flood on October 19, 2015 tore through Death Valley Scotty Historic District, damaging historic structures, ripping out 8 miles of road, and destroying essential utilities.

270 NPS employees from across the country assisted Death Valley’s staff in the first year. They focused on digging out flood debris, emergency short-term stabilization, and moving the museum collection to temporary storage off-site.

Projects status:
Scotty’s Castle Road – completed Jan. 2020. The road is remaining closed until other projects are completed for visitor safety and protection of historic district.

Water – The water main replaced in 2019/2020. Distribution lines to be replaced in 2021.

Wastewater – Sewage treatment was replaced in 2019/2020. Collection lines will be replaced in 2021.

Electrical – Southern California Edison installed the powerline in 2016. Electrical distribution in the campus was repaired in 2019/2020. Further work is planned for 2021.

Visitor center – The historic Garage is now used as the visitor center. It was the most heavily damaged building, with extensive structural damage. The construction contract will begin next month and should be completed by November 2021. The adjoining historic Long Shed, which is used for back-of-the house support for the visitor center, is just entering design phase, with construction likely in 2022.

Hacienda – The historic building is used for staff housing and offices. This building had interior damage from mud and water. Construction will start next month and be completed by November 2021.

Flood control structures – This project will build a 600-foot-long gabion-lined berm and four smaller flood walls and ditches. Design has been completed recently and consultation with the California State Historic Preservation Office will start soon. Construction is tentatively planned for July 2021-July 2022.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) – This will construct a climate control plant with a boiler, chiller, and cooling tower. The design was completed recently and consultation with the California State Historic Preservation Office will start soon. Construction is tentatively planned for September 2021-September 2022.

Historic furnishings – The furniture, dishes, carpets, and clothing that belonged to Scotty and the Johnsons were moved off-site for protection. The Death Valley Natural History Association funded about $100,000 in conservation work on the pipe organ, curtains, and silver. The museum collection will be returned to the Castle for the public to enjoy after all the other projects are complete.

Scotty’s Castle was constructed in the 1920s as a vacation home for Albert and Bessie Johnson, millionaires from Chicago. The (untrue) claim that it was built on top of Walter “Scotty” Scott’s gold mine fueled public interest at the time, and still does.

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Camper Dies, Wife Rescued in Death Valley National Park

An Arizona tourist has died and his wife has been rescued after their vehicle got two flat tires and they went missing in Death Valley National Park in California.

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An Arizona tourist died and his wife was rescued Friday after their vehicle got two flat tires and they went missing in Death Valley National Park in California.
Alexander Lofgren, 32, and Emily Henkel, 27, were found on a steep ledge near Willow Creek in the desert park, but Lofgren was dead, according to a statement from the Inyo Creek Sheriff's Office.
Henkel was flown to Lemoore Naval Air Station for treatment, and there was no immediate word on her condition.
The Tucson residents, described as experienced campers, failed to return Sunday from a camping trip and were reported missing Tuesday.
Authorities searched hotels and major tourist attractions along a highway and checked Lofgren's back-country itinerary.
On Wednesday, park staff found the couple’s missing Subaru. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a note in the car stated: “Two flat tires, headed to Mormon Point, have three days’ worth of water.”
That proved to be “a crucial tip in directing search efforts," the Sheriff's Office said.
On Thursday, the couple was spotted from the air, but crews couldn't hoist them up and weren't able to reach them in the remote area until shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday, authorities said.
The cause of Lofgren's death is under investigation.
“This has been a tremendously difficult operation in a very unforgiving geographic area of Inyo County, I sincerely hope for healing and recovery for all involved,” Sheriff Jeff Hollowell said in the statement.
Death Valley, in the Mojave Desert in eastern California, is one of the hottest and driest places in the world. It had highs in the 90s this week.
The rugged park has claimed several lives over the years. In January, an experienced climber who was descending a canyon plunged to his death when he was caught in a rockslide.

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Fire at Scotty’s Castle Destroys One Historic Outbuilding, Damages Another

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A fire destroyed the historic garage and damaged a second historic outbuilding at Scotty’s Castle on Thursday morning, April 22. The historic district in Death Valley National Park has been closed for ongoing repair work after extensive flood damage in 2015.

Upon arriving at the worksite in the morning, construction contractors reported active fire within the garage and long shed buildings. Contractors on scene attempted to stop the fire from spreading further into the long shed.

When firefighters from Death Valley National Park and Beatty Volunteer Fire Department arrived, the fire was mostly contained. Crews monitored for hotspots and stabilized the remains of the structures. A deputy from the Inyo County Sheriff's Office also responded.

The historic main house and other surrounding historic structures were unharmed. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.

The historic garage, which was used as a visitor center, was the most heavily damaged building in the October 2015 flash flood.

Scotty’s Castle was constructed in the 1920s as a vacation home for Albert and Bessie Johnson, millionaires from Chicago. Since its construction, Scotty’s Castle has drawn visitors seeking the truth behind the legend that it was built on a gold mine owned by the Johnsons’ friend, Walter “Scotty” Scott.

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Hundreds of historic Scotty's Castle photographs published online

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The National Park Service has posted 568 historic Scotty’s Castle photos online. The website, NPGallery.nps.gov/deva, includes snapshots that chronicle the desert escapades of Walter “Death Valley Scotty” Scott, Albert Johnson, Bessie Johnson, their friends, and their families. The collection includes series of photographs taken from the same location over time that chronicles the nine years of construction in the 1920s.

The project was the brainchild of NPS Scotty’s Castle curator Gretchen Voeks, who said, “Digitizing accomplishes two goals; because we now have electronic copies to use for research, the original photographs are less susceptible to damage from use and wear, and the online publication makes it possible for many more people to access the materials.” The project was co-managed by Emily Field, of Great Basin Institute.

Volunteers contributed over 3,000 hours in a “labor of love” to share these photos with the world. Dwight Pennebaker, Christine Ford, Terry Eddington, Pam Krajnick, and Leigh McLendon scanned delicate historic photos, researched to verify copyrights, described the photos, and uploaded them to the site.

Scotty’s Castle is temporarily closed to the public due to damage from a flash flood in 2015. Further tragedy struck on April 22, when the partially-repaired visitor center burned to the ground. Repairs will resume shortly, and the NPS plans to reopen Scotty’s Castle in 2023.

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U.S. Navy jet crashes in Death Valley National Park

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One person is recovering from minor injuries after the U.S. Navy jet they were piloting crashed in Death Valley National Park Monday afternoon.
A press release says the Super Hornet went down in a remote area in the southern portion of the park at around 3:00 that afternoon.
Multiple search and rescue units responded to rescue the pilot, who The Associated Press reports was able to safely eject from the aircraft.
That individual was treated at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas and released Monday evening.
No other injuries were reported in the crash.
The release states the event is under investigation and the Navy is cooperating fully with local authorities.
The Super Hornet was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron, which is based at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) in China Lake.

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Death Valley Travelers Have New California Welcome Center to Offer Exciting Experiences Including Virtual Reality

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The California Welcome Center - Ridgecrest is set for its grand opening on November 6, 2021. The Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau received designation from Visit California to become a California Welcome Center (CWC) in 2019, with plans delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridgecrest's CWC will serve as the gateway to Death Valley, welcoming guests from across the world to California's deserts. The grand opening for the 21st California Welcome Center will take place at 10AM, coinciding with the opening of the 8th Annual Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival.
The California Welcome Center will include several exhibits and experiences, including virtual reality and a Prehistoric Camels of California presentation and rides. Guests will be able to travel virtually to Death Valley National Park through the use of Oculus VR headsets, available at the center. The CWC will also present a virtual trip to the petroglyphs in the region using the virtual technology, in collaboration with the Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival to honor Native American Heritage Awareness Month this November. In person petroglyph tours at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake are closed this year, due to COVID-19. Camels will be present for the opening, representing the ancient indigenous camels that lived in ancient Death Valley around its many lakes. Camel rides will be free for kids and adults that meet the specified weight criteria from 11AM-3PM on Saturday.
A TV and Film Experience exhibit will be the first to open within the CWC - Ridgecrest, featuring projects filmed in Death Valley, Lone Pine, Red Rock Canyon, and other areas around the region. QR codes will link to location maps that include the sites for Lady Gaga and Rihanna music videos, Top Gun: Maverick, Iron Man, Star Trek, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Agents of SHIELD, and Westworld. Video presentations will focus on sci-fi locations that continue to draw productions to the unique topography of California's deserts. Along with the TV and Film Experience, the CWC will feature the top 5 Amazing Archaeological Adventures of California, appealing to those with more historical interests.
The CWCs are independently operated, but subject to standards developed by the California Office of Tourism in partnership with Visit California. They act as a concierge service for travelers to California, providing destination, attraction, and accommodation brochures from member destinations statewide. With Ridgecrest joining the Visit California family, access and exposure to millions of people visiting California will be exponentially higher for businesses in the Ridgecrest region. Each of the CWCs will include brochures, magazines, and advertising information for local attractions, dining, and hotels in and around Ridgecrest. The designation has traditionally led to a significant increase in the percentage of travel-generated employment for each region represented. This effect has led to documented positive impacts in secondary spending and employment, as each region increases their share of California's in-state travel spending.
The California Welcome Center - Ridgecrest is located at 880 N. China Lake Boulevard in Ridgecrest, California.

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This photo from Death Valley was a ‘fan fave’ in national park’s photo contest

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The winner of the U.S. National Park Foundation’s 2021 Share the Experience photo contest was announced this week.
Marissa Toma took the winning photograph of Death Valley National Park, which was honored in the “Fan Favorite” category, according to a news release.
Regarding her photograph, Toma said, “I hope it inspires other females to be confident enough to take solo adventures,” she noted. “I know I was intimidated at first by planning and taking a solo trip to such a large and desolate place, but I think traveling alone allows you the opportunity to get to know yourself better and to be free to meet other people along the way.”
Contest officials did not disclose whether Toma is an area resident.
The Share the Experience photo contest invites all amateur photographers to submit their favorite views, moments, memories, and adventures from national parks and public lands across the United States, with safety being a crucial aspect of the event.
Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation said Toma’s photograph was among the winners selected from 10,893 entries.
“The winning photos capture the imagination and inspire wonder,” Shafroth said. “Congratulations to this year’s contest winners whose park experiences and captivating images invite people to connect with the natural beauty and history preserved in national parks.”
The 2022 Share the Experience photo contest is hosted by the National Park Foundation and Booz Allen Hamilton in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as the U.S. Forest Service.
The 2022 contest is now open through Dec. 31.

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Flash floods close roads into Death Valley National Park

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Officials have closed some roads in and out of Death Valley National Park after they were inundated over the weekend with mud and debris caused by by flash flooding

Some roads in and out of Death Valley National Park have been closed after they were inundated over the weekend with mud and debris from flash floods that also hit western Nevada and northern Arizona hard.
Officials on Sunday provided no estimate on when the roads around Death Valley would be reopened.
Motorists were also urged to avoid Southern California's Mojave National Preserve after flooding buckled pavement on some roads. The rain also prompted closures of highways and campgrounds elsewhere, but no injuries were reported
The storms produced torrential downpours and the National Weather Service reported that more than an inch (2.5 centimeters) of rain fell in 15 minutes Sunday near Kingman, Arizona, which is close to the stateline with California.
In a mountainous area east of Los Angeles at the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, mudslides sent trees and large rocks onto roads, blocking them near the city of Yucaipa.
Forecasters said more thunderstorms were possible on Monday.

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Death Valley National Park closes all roads due to flooding

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Death Valley National Park is under a flash flood warning until 12:45 p.m. Friday, with all roads closed due to flooding.
State Route 190 across the park from state Route 127 to U.S. Highway 395 is closed due to flooding, according to a National Weather Service alert.
A mudslide was reported along State Route 136 through Keeler, California.
The National Park Service warned visitors to not attempt to drive through deep water or debris on roads, and to assume all unpaved roads are impassable.
A flash flood warning has also been issued for parts of Nye County around Beatty, Lida, Scottys Junction and Lida Junction until 12:45 p.m. Friday. Heavy rain, flash flooding and winds over 40 mph have been reported by the weather service.
Half an inch of rain fell in Beatty within an hour, and State Route 266 through Lida is closed, according to a tweet from the weather service.
Mojave National Preserve outside of Baker, California, remains closed after severe flash flooding covered and removed many park roads on July 31, according to the park service. Park crews are assessing damage and repairing roads.
Scattered showers and storms that could produce heavy rain were forecast for Las Vegas before 2 p.m. Friday. Flash flooding is a concern for areas northwest of Interstate 15.

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Nach Überschwemmungen: Hunderte Besucher aus Death Valley evakuiert

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Nach den heftigen Regenfällen und Überflutungen im Death Valley Nationalpark im US-Bundesstaat Kalifornien hat die Polizei Hunderte gestrandete Menschen evakuiert.

Nach den heftigen Regenfällen und Überflutungen im Death Valley Nationalpark im US-Bundesstaat Kalifornien hat die Polizei Hunderte gestrandete Menschen aus dem "Tal des Todes" evakuiert. "Dank der harten Arbeit der Straßenarbeiter konnten Besucher, die zuvor nicht in der Lage waren, die Hotels in der Region zu verlassen, nun vorsichtig mit Polizeibegleitung hinausfahren", teilte der Nationalpark am Samstag mit. Mit Helikoptern würden die abgelegenen Gebieten des Parks abgesucht, um sicherzustellen, dass dort keine liegengebliebenen Fahrzeuge mehr seien. Derzeit gebe es keine Berichte über Verletzte.

Death Valley: Normalerweise der trockenste und heißeste in den USA
Am Freitag waren ungewöhnlich große Regenmengen auf den Death Valley Nationalpark niedergegangen. Der Ort gilt als der trockenste und heißeste in den USA. Im Gebiet Furnace Creek fielen rund 3,7 Zentimeter Niederschlag. Damit war der Tag Medienberichten zufolge der zweitnasseste seit Aufzeichnungsbeginn im Jahr 1911. 0,3 Zentimeter sind im August Durchschnitt, wie die "Washington Post" berichtete. Im Jahresdurchschnitt würden insgesamt knapp fünf Zentimeter registriert.
Am Freitag befanden sich etwa 500 Besucher und 500 Parkmitarbeiter im Death Valley. Bei einem Hotel wurden laut CNN rund 60 Autos von Besuchern und Mitarbeitern unter Trümmern begraben. Die Sturzfluten und der Sturm drückten nach Angaben des Parks Müllcontainer in geparkte Autos. Außerdem seien viele Hotelzimmer und Geschäftsbüros überflutet worden. Straßen waren durch umgestürzte Felsbrocken und Palmen blockiert.

Nationalpark bleibt vorerst geschlossen
Der Nationalpark berichtete, in den meisten Gebieten sei das Wasser mittlerweile zurückgegangen und habe umfangreiche Schlamm- und Kiesablagerungen zurückgelassen. Die Straßen im Park würden so lange geschlossen bleiben, bis die Mitarbeiter einen Überblick über die Lage hätten.
Die vom Menschen verursachte Erwärmung des Klimas trägt Wissenschaftlern zufolge auch zu extremen Niederschlagsereignisse bei.

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State Route 190 Closure Extended

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State Route 190 will remain closed through at least August 17 as Caltrans maintenance crews continue to clean up after last week’s flash floods.

Approximately 30 miles of the highway were partially or fully buried under flood debris within Death Valley National Park following Friday’s storms. Since beginning work to clear State Route 190, crews have managed to remove debris from approximately 20 miles of the road. An estimated 60 percent of debris has been removed from the highway so far.

Drivers are urged to stay clear of the highway and respect closure points that allow crews to safely work within the incident area. State Route 178 E from Shoshone to the Lower Badwater Gate in Death Valley National Park will remain closed into next week as well.

All park roads remain closed as damage assessments, crucial repairs, and flood recovery work are underway. Conditions are subject to change as the Death Valley area is expecting a chance of additional thunderstorms this week.Photographs of storm damage can be seen in the photo gallery linked below.

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Popular sites in Death Valley publicly reopen on August 20
Many park roads will remain closed indefinitely

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Death Valley National Park's most popular sites will reopen to the public on Saturday, Aug. 20 – just two weeks after a historic flood unleashed massive, record-setting rainfall and caused millions of dollars in damage to roads and facilities. Several park roads remain closed so visitors should plan ahead and not rely on GPS.
"We're eager to welcome summer visitors back to Death Valley's most popular sites, but at the same time, we want to caution folks that many roads in the park will remain closed for months during repair work," said Mike Reynolds, park superintendent. "I’m thankful for our work crews and Caltrans partners who have worked tirelessly to reopen popular sites to visitors. It’s an opportune time to visit the park and witness firsthand the dramatic impacts of a 1,000-year flood event.”
Maintenance crews from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have been working to reopen State Route 190, the main thoroughfare through the park. The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for most other roads within the park and has been working to clear them to make them safe for the public.
Visitors will only be able to access the park via State Route 190 and Panamint Valley Road. All other paved roads including Badwater Road from CA-178, all access roads via NV-374 (Beatty Cutoff and Daylight Pass), and North Highway/Scotty’s Castle road will remain closed for repairs.
All roads into and through the park were closed to the public on Friday, Aug. 5 due to severe flooding. The park, which has approximately 1,400 miles of roads, including 200 miles of paved roadways, was affected by debris, shoulder road loss, undercutting, and pavement loss. Workers assessed 600 miles of roads, and 200 miles are deemed impassable. Park officials say there are still 800 more miles of road left to assess.
Caltrans, NPS and Inyo County spent the last two weeks conducting damage assessments, making critical repairs, and clearing tons of debris and dirt from roadways.
The park is vast. At about 3.4 million acres, it is almost the size of Connecticut. NPS officials advise when visitors return to the park, they should exercise extreme caution and respect closures.
Some of the park's most popular sites will reopen to visitors this weekend including: Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Badwater Basin (open only from State Route 190 but closed south of Badwater at mile marker 17), Golden Canyon, Artist Drive, Devils Golf Course, Natural Bridge, Zabriskie Point, Dantes View, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Twenty Mule Canyon, and Harmony Borax Works.
Other attractions will remain closed indefinitely and some park roads may remain closed for days to months, depending on the severity of the damage, NPS officials say.
Motorists should also expect temporary delays and lower speed limits when traveling throughout the park. They may encounter one way traffic control stops and limited shoulder parking. They should also watch for loose gravel on the road that may impact windshields and tires.
Backcountry roads are still being assessed and the park does not have information about conditions in many areas. The public should be aware of hazardous conditions, including missing shoulders, steep drop-offs, and impassable areas on backcountry roads. Backcountry travel in Death Valley requires proper equipment (including a high-clearance vehicle and rugged, backcountry tires), careful planning, and experience with extreme heat and harsh desert conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Death Valley over the weekend are forecast to be around 115° F (46°C). The NPS encourages park visitors to stay safe in the summer by not hiking at low elevations after 10 a.m., staying within a short walk of air conditioning, drinking plenty of water, and eating salty snacks.
On Aug. 15, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration announced a release of $11.7 million in emergency federal funding to repair damaged roads. These funds will support recovery in both Death Valley and Mojave National Preserve. This initial funding will help offset the substantial costs incurred during the first stages of what park rangers say is possibly the most widespread catastrophic event in the park's history. As officials continue to assess the damage, they predict that the recovery effort will not only be lengthy, but pricey as well with costs expected to rise by the tens of millions.

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These Areas Of Death Valley National Park Are Now Open Following Devastating Flooding

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The National Park Service has mostly good news for anybody with plans to visit Death Valley National Park.
Monsoonal rains and flash flooding caused millions of dollars in damage to Death Valley’s roads and facilities roughly 2 weeks ago, resulting in the park’s roads being closed. Now, however, some of the park’s roads and its most-popular attractions have reopened.
For example, while the recent flash flooding damaged miles of the road shoulder on State Route 190, the road was reopened at about 5 p.m. last Friday, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced, according to the Associated Press. Although the road has reopened, work crews will continue filling in sections of the road that had washed away and there may be lane closures at various times as they continue repairs, Caltrans explained.
“CA Hwy 190 through the park has reopened,” the National Park Service explains. “Many other roads within the park remain closed. Please stay out of closed areas so we can work safely!”

Why Flooding Occurs In Death Valley
Death Valley National Park, which is a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas, is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S. In the summer months of May to September, temperatures average over 100 degrees — and often exceed 120 degrees. What’s more, the official highest recorded temperature in the world was 134 degrees in Death Valley on July 10, 1913.
Flash flooding from Southwest monsoon rains every August is a natural part of Death Valley’s ecology. Here’s why the flooding occurs: There is little soil to soak up water, so measurable rain can lead to flooding in low-lying areas. On the other hand, water from heavy rains makes its way into normally dry creeks, triggering flash floods.
For example, historic downpours from monsoonal thunderstorms in Death Valley earlier this month triggered flooding that damaged numerous roads and park facilities. Then, a few days later, 1.46 inches of rain fell on August 6 at Furnace Creek in Death Valley in just 3 hours.
The rain total, which was just shy of the all-time record high of 1.47 inches of rain, caused flash flooding that resulted in widespread damage and led to the National Park Service closing all of the park’s roads.
“The heavy rain that caused the devastating flooding at Death Valley was an extremely rare, 1,000-year event,” Daniel Berc, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Las Vegas, said, according to the National Park Service. “A 1,000-year event doesn’t mean it happens once per 1,000 years. It means there is a 0.1 percent chance of it occurring in any given year.”
To put that rainfall amount in perspective, Death Valley typically receives 1.94 inches of rain per year, according to the Washington Post. Of that, just 0.11 inches of rain falls in August on average.

Which Roads Are Open At Death Valley
California Highway 190 has reopened through Death Valley, which means visitors can travel to Zabriskie Point, Harmony Borax Works, and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Badwater Road has also reopened so visitors can travel to Golden Canyon Trail, Artists Drive, Devils Golf Course, Natural Bridge, and Badwater Basin. However, it must be noted that Badwater Road remains closed beyond mile marker 17.
Twenty Mule Team Canyon Road and Dantes View Road are both now open.
The flip side of the coin is that many park roads are still closed due to recent flood damage. This includes West Side, Daylight Pass, Beatty Cutoff, Mud Canyon, North Highway, Emigrant/Wildrose, Lower Wildrose, Titus Canyon, Mustard Canyon, and Salt Creek.
Consequently, there is no road access to Wildrose Charcoal Kilns, Keane Wonder Mine, Ubehebe Crater, and Salt Creek.
Finally, Bonnie Clare Road and Scotty’s Castle remain closed due to ongoing road work to repair previous flood damage. Both are now projected to reopen late next year.

Know Before You Go
If you plan to visit Death Valley soon, it’s important to remember that monsoonal weather is forecast for at least the next 10 days. Consequently, park roads and other areas may be open or closed based on the weather.
Also, “Backcountry travel is NOT recommended,” the National Park Service cautions.
“Not all roads have been assessed for current conditions due to the scale of the flooding impacts,” the National Park Service continues. “At this time, all dirt roads that have been assessed have had damage, and some are completely impassable due to washouts and rocks in roadways.”
You can stay up to date on which roads and attractions are currently open at Death Valley here.

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