This is a problem of international environmental significance. If the fish die from hyper-salinity the birds will die as well. We must find a way to increase and maintain the fishery and the wetlands to save these birds.
We have all smelled that nasty rotten egg odor emanating from a sewer, septic tank or port-a-potty. That odor is often caused by hydrogen sulfide gas.
Hydrogen Sulfide H2S is produced when organic material breaks down due to microbial activity in an environment lacking in oxygen.
The enormous amount of life and organic matter in the Sea creates this gas at the deeper locations within the Sea but that gas is sequestered in the lower depths of the Sea. In the summer when severe wind events from the Gulf of California move northwesterly they can cause waves and turbulence in the Sea to a degree that brings the Hydrogen Sulfide Gas to the surface where it is then carried by the weather to population centers.
As the Sea continues to decline we can expect more big stinks. Who owns the Salton Sea? The land under the Salton Sea is owned almost entirely by three entities. The largest is the Federal Government. Additionally a large amount of land under the Sea is owned by the Imperial Irrigation District. In the north, there is approximately 11, acres of tribal lands owned by the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians and held in trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Department of the Interior.
There are a few private holdings. The Coachella Valley Water District also has a very small amount of acreage. What does renewable energy have to do with the Salton Sea? The southern end of the Salton Sea is the richest source of geothermal energy in the United States and possibly the world.
Our region is also one of the most prolific solar energy and wind energy areas in the USA with our nearly days of sunshine per year. There is a possibility that the exploitation of these resources could provide funding for Salton Sea Revitalization and energy for the infrastructure required to operate and maintain the Sea. What will happen if the Salton Sea is just left to dry up?
If we do nothing, a scenario that is called the no project alternative , then the Sea will dry up to approximately one- third of its present size. The resulting hyper-saline lake will be a non-productive, dead sea incapable of maintaining a fishery and sustenance for the species of migratory birds that depend on the Sea.
The roughly square miles of exposed playa will cause an air quality disaster of such enormous proportions that the valleys of Coachella and Imperial as well as southerly into Mexico may become uninhabitable. The agriculture of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys will be ruined and the economy of the Coachella and Imperial valleys will become non-existent. Beyond the Coachella Valley the remainder of Southern California will be impacted.
What is Selenium and why do I hear so much about that in the news? Selenium is a naturally occurring element in the periodic table that is essential to life in minute quantities but has been determined to cause birth defects in bird species that nest at the Salton where the quantities of this element exceed save and effective levels.
The issue of selenium sequestration from water entering the Salton Sea has to be a component of any Salton Sea revitalization alternative. The mountain itself colorful springs out of the barren desert as a focal point and can be climbed as long as you stay on the Yellow Brick Road. We love the incinerate details Leonard left on all of the vehicles surrounding the property and most of all love the Tree Room under the mountain that is an explosion of Dr Suess.
Make the mountain a must stop bring some paint or a few bucks as an optional donation. For more info and an awesome video check out our Salvation Mountain Page. The mudpots themselves are pocket of warm clay and mud which bubble and gurgle to the surface.
The bubbles in the mud occur because of geothermal activity forcing warm water to the surface. Because the area of the Salton Sea lies on the San Andreas fault line, there is a lot of geothermal activity to be had. Some of the mudpots have been bubbling long enough that they now have developed in tall mud volcanoes. If you listen to them, you can even hear the mudspot gurgle. They may not be as impressive as the ones at Yellowstone Park, but these mudpots are easy to get to and very cool.
Imperial Sand Dunes : Out of nowhere rises a 15 mile long and 3 mile wide stretch of foot tall sand dunes that will make you feel like you are standing in the middle of the deserts of Africa. The Dunes have been the home to the tapping of many movies including Stars Wars and is a huge haven for dune buggy enthusiasts. This is one of our favorite things to do in the area.
Permits are require people who are camping or ATVing, however, if you are just looking to walk or hike out onto the dunes there are a few great spots where you can park for up to 2 hours with no fees required.
Evan Hughes Oasis : It seems like only locals know about this Oasis even though it is right next to the highway. The large cluster of bushy palms surrounding the dark green oasis pond make it a really cool place to take photos. It can gather homeless vagabonds after dark but during the day is usually always void of them and great to visit.
The photo to the left is from when the spring was featured in Desert Magazine in January This oasis is cool, but if you are pressed for time feel free to skip in and just one of the smaller oases on this list instead as they are right off the highway.
This Oasis, while natural, feels a little staged, but still is worth a stop. Railroad tracks run along the eastern side of the sea carrying mostly Union Pacific freight trains. While Amtrak trains also use this line, there are no local stops in any of the communities on the Salton Sea. There are safe swimming and fishing areas, but check on local conditions first as algal blooms and storms can greatly affect water quality.
Do not pick up hitchhikers on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea. There is a state prison in Calipatria. Escaped inmates may attempt to hitchhike out of the area. It is generally advised to avoid contact with water in or at the mouth of the New River. This river flows out of Mexico and carries a small amount of untreated sewage. There are lots of abandoned businesses, hotels, houses, and other developments around the Salton Sea.
They can be fascinating to explore, but remember that most are still private property. When exploring, be respectful of the residents who still live there and may not appreciate strangers gawking at their homes or trespassing on their property. Map of Salton Sea. This region article is an extra-hierarchical region , describing a region that does not fit into the hierarchy Wikivoyage uses to organise most articles.
These extra articles usually provide only basic information and links to articles in the hierarchy. This article can be expanded if the information is specific to the page; otherwise new text should generally go in the appropriate region or city article.
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