I have always wanted to see the Salton Sea. I don't know why, I just have. Now that I have seen it, I don't really have an urge to come back and see it again. Maybe it was because the temperature was over 100.
The Salton Sea is California's largest lake. It is also 227 below sea level! Since it is below sea level, the lake has no drainage outlets. Therefore the only water loss is through evaporation and the salt concentration is increasing each year. Also, agriculture runoff is contributing to the salt concentration. Presently it is 30 percent saltier than the oceans. About the only major specie of fish left in the lake is Tilapia. They are so prolific, there is no catch limit. There is concern that as the concentration of salt increases, even the Tilapia may not adapt. However, the lake does serve as an important stop over for millions of migrating birds each year.
Now here is the irony. The Salton Sea is there by accident. Historically, the area has had lakes on and off over millions of years. But in more recent times, the area was just a dry lakebed. However, the Colorado River flooded in 1905 and burst some of the levees. For nearly two years, until the levees were repaired, almost the entire flow of the Colorado flooded the dry lake bed and created the present day Salton Sea.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday I'll be attending the wedding festivities. I'll probably wait and post the next travel update Sunday morning.
That's all for now.......
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