We circumnavigated the Salton Sea today, a 6 1/2 hour trip. It is California's largest lake, 35 miles long and 15 miles wide - nearly 380 sq. miles. It is said that it used to be part of the Gulf of California from Baja California, Mexico but silt buildup shut that opening a long time ago. In 1905, massive flooding caused the Colorado River to break through an irrigation canal and flow into the Salton Basin for a year and a half. Drainage from 500,000 acres of farmland now sustains the Sea.
We went down the east side and enjoyed walking along the shore where about 15 RV's were boon docking. This side is lovely. The sea looks beautiful in the distance but on the west shore you see many dead fish. They are lying on a bed of white shells and old bones, quite smelly. wouldn't want to own a water-view home here. There is an abundance of Tilapia here, a prolific breeder introduced many years ago from the freshwater areas of Africa. The lake continues to grow more saline daily, due to evaporation and the runoff of agricultural fertilizers into the lake. This has affected fish reproduction and survival. Water temperature is also a concern as high temperatures in the summer reduce the amount of oxygen and fish die offs occur. Conversely, if the water gets under 55 degrees in the winter, the same will occur. There are millions of fish in the water and there were productive fisheries here during WWI and II.
The Sea is called California's Crown Jewel of Avian Biodiversity and It is on the Pacific flyway and an important site for migratory and wintering shorebirds. We saw pelicans, egrets and many more.
Here's Chuck sitting on an old chair abandoned on the shore.
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