In 1941, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power began diverting water from Mono Lake's tributary streams, sending it 350 miles south to meet the growing water demands of Los Angeles. As a result, over the next 40 years Mono Lake dropped by 45 vertical feet, lost half its volume, and doubled in salinity. Thanks to citizen advocacy and a set of rules governing Los Angeles water exports the lake has risen but is currently 12 feet below the level of a minimally healthy lake level. This image was the first photograph to combine my interest in water, landscape and environmental advocacy and began my long commitment to these subjects.