As Death Valley has come to life this winter with its large floral display, Badwater Basin is where the flowers don’t flourish.  Badwater Basin is probably where Death Valley got its name.  Nothing lives there. These salt flats cover some 200 square miles and provide little hope for life.  The salt is a result of the hot and arid climate in the park that evaporates any moisture, leaving only the salt behind.  At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater is the lowest point in North America, thus creating extremes in temperatures and dryness.