Salton Sea

In recorded history, the Coachella and Imperial Valleys have flooded three times. The ancient Lake Cahuilla lapped at the shores of Point Happy. After flooding, these lakes dried out over the course of 60 to 100 years. The most recent appearance of this lake is what we call the Salton Sea. The Sea was formed between 1905 and 1907 when the Colorado River over-ran its banks south of Yuma, Arizona. Supposedly, the Sea covers at least one complete train, several towns and the remains of a 17th Century Spanish Galleon.

It has an average depth of 29.9 feet and, at its deepest, is 51 feet. The Sea is currently 228 feet below sea level, only five feet higher than the lowest spot in Death Valley. It is the largest lake in California, currently 35 miles by 15 miles. Salinity is slightly more than the Pacific Ocean. The salinity of the SaltonSea is about 41 to 43 th ppm. The Pacific Ocean is about 34.9 th ppm. Much saltier and the fish will not be able to reproduce. But, according to Steve Horvitz California State Parks Superintendent: Salton Sea Sector, the water is fine for people. "In reality, the Sea is cleaner than many lakes and rivers in Southern California."

Notable places to visit include the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, stretching from Bombay Beach to Desert Beach. Over 150,000 people visit the popular recreation area each year, and visitation is on the increase. Popular activities at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area include boating, water-skiing, fishing, jet-skiing, hiking, birdwatching, and sailboarding. Bird Watching is popular at the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge as it is a major stop on many birds migratory routes. Estimates of over 1 million visitors spend time at the Salton Sea each year.

According to Richard Heckmann, CEO of Vivendi, the shoreline of the Salton Sea may be the most undervalued real estate in the nation. If the bacteria and salinity problems can be controlled it could be come a real tourist mecca, not to be confused with Mecca a small town a few miles north of the Salton Sea.

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