Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Salton Sea


The Salton Sea is an interesting inland sea located in Southern California directly on the San Andreas fault.  It was formed by flooding from the Colorado River and continues to be fed by agricultural runoff.  In the 1950's it became a recreational destination with cities popping up around it's shores like Salton City, Desert Shores, and Bombay Beach.  Soon after that boom, the salinity levels of the lake started to increase until the lake is now considerably more salty than the Pacific Ocean.  Because of that, many of the species of fish in the lake could no longer survive.

Shortly after moving to Arizona in 1970, I visited here and enjoyed the beach and the birds.  At that time, it was clear to see that the area was in decline.  In 2011 on a trip to California I took a little side trip to see how the sea was looking now.  It was a sad experience.  All of the towns named above are abandoned and almost all of the campgrounds are closed.  I wanted to visit Bombay Beach because I had heard that it was an eerie ghost town but, the road to there was closed.

I found a little 6 minute video on the internet that shows scenes from Bombay Beach.  Click on the link if you would like to see it.

9 comments:

Mersad said...

Oh that video is amazing. And so is this place. Very otherworldly.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I have driven from Arizona to southern California at least a hundred times over the decades, each time passing signs for the Salton Sea, and never taking a side trip to see it. I have read that it is an ecological disaster.

Ercotravels said...

Interesting informative post with beautiful pictures. or yes, Sharon! I just find piquant cuisines of the Gujarat(India). hope you will know about its through my new post..

Thérèse said...

How sad! Is it similar to the Dead Sea and good to heal rheumatism?

Kate said...

it is more than an ecological disaster; it is an example of human folly. The video is truly amazing.

Judy said...

I can remember visiting here long, long ago, when it was still a busy place. The extraordinary video is very thought provoking.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Goodness me the video was amazing Sharon..I think we have a few abandoned towns in the outback also..heartbreaking when the fight against nature goes so horribly wrong.

Catalyst said...

Yes, I've driven by the turnoffs many times and never been tempted.

Lowell said...

I remember this! I was there many years ago. Most of what I remember was the buoyancy of the water. I could lay back and just float with no effort.

Wonder why the area went into decline...maybe because there are no fish to be had?