Salton Sea

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Colorado River below Imperial Canal intake

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Salton Sea homes

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Salty Salton Sea Beach

Salton Sea salt pond

Salton Sea is a shallow, saline, endorheic rift lake located directly on the San Andreas Fault, predominantly in California's Imperial and Coachella valleys. The modern sea was accidentally created by a flood in 1905, in which water from the Colorado River flowed into the area. Covering a surface area of approximately 343 square miles (890 km²), it is the largest lake in California. Over the years, the Salton Sea has become a critical habitat for migrating birds, yet it faces environmental threats due to pollution and increasing salinity, leading to ecological challenges.

History

The area that is now the Salton Sea had been a fluctuating body of water for thousands of years, evidenced by ancient lake beds found in the region. Historically, it was part of a vast inland sea that covered a significant portion of what is now the southwestern United States. The current iteration of the Salton Sea was formed between 1905 and 1907 when the Colorado River breached a dike and water flowed into the Salton Basin, creating the largest lake in California. Efforts to stop the flood took nearly two years, by which time the newly formed lake had become a fixture in the landscape.

Geography

The Salton Sea is located in the southeastern part of California, within Imperial and Riverside counties. It lies in the Salton Basin, a remnant of prehistoric Lake Cahuilla. The sea is about 227 feet below sea level, with a maximum depth of 43 feet, making it one of the lowest spots on earth. The Alamo River, New River, and Whitewater River are the primary tributaries feeding the Salton Sea, all of which carry agricultural runoff from nearby fields into the sea.

Environmental Issues

The Salton Sea faces numerous environmental challenges, including increasing salinity, pollution, and habitat destruction. As the sea has no natural outlets, evaporation leaves behind salts and minerals, leading to a salinity level higher than that of the Pacific Ocean. This increase in salinity has led to the decline of several fish species, which in turn affects the migratory bird populations that rely on the sea for food during their migrations.

Agricultural runoff also contributes to the pollution of the Salton Sea, introducing pesticides and other harmful chemicals into the ecosystem. Additionally, the receding shoreline has exposed thousands of acres of the lakebed, creating dust that poses health risks to nearby communities.

Conservation Efforts

Efforts to mitigate the environmental issues facing the Salton Sea have included proposals to reduce salinity, restore habitats, and manage water levels. Various state and federal agencies, along with local communities and environmental organizations, have been involved in developing strategies to address these challenges. Projects have focused on creating wetlands to improve water quality and provide habitat for birds, as well as plans to import water from the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of California to stabilize the sea level and salinity.

Cultural Impact

The Salton Sea has had a significant cultural impact, serving as a popular resort destination in the 1950s and 1960s. It attracted celebrities and was known for its recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, and bird watching. However, as environmental conditions deteriorated, tourism declined. Today, the Salton Sea is often cited as a cautionary tale of environmental mismanagement, but it also represents a critical issue for water rights and conservation efforts in the American Southwest.

See Also

• Colorado River
• Imperial Valley
• Coachella Valley
• Endorheic basin