Running a length of 35 miles, spanning a width of 15 miles and covering an area of 381 square miles, Salton Sea makes for the largest inland saline lake in the state of California. With a surface elevation of 227 feet below sea level, it is located 35 miles north of the California-Mexican border and 130 miles east of San Diego, and suspected to have been a part of northern extension of the Gulf of California. It is bounded by mountains on its tree sides, to the north is the Orocopia Mountains, to the west is Santa Rosa Range and finally, on its eastern side is the Chocolate Mountains. Given its location, Salton Sea belongs to the Colorado Desert Ecosystem, a region which receives the least amount of rainfall, barely exceeding three inches in a year. The climate in the area is generally arid such that the odd presence of the lake maybe considered the "oasis" of that place. The vegetation in the sea is limited only to cattail sedges, tamarisk, cottonwood and bamboo, most of which are concentrated in freshwater area. The beaches in the sea are either of sandy or silt and mud mixture sprinkled with barnacle and snail shells (Capellan, 1961).
Tags: Urban geography of the Salton sea, Geography of the Salton sea basin, History of Salton sea, End of Salton sea
[...] According to the Salton Sea Authority, the first appearance of Lake Cahuilla is estimated to be around 700 A. D. Some studies further presume that the ever changing direction of the Colorado River and theorized that the filling of the Salton Basin must have been a recurring event in nature over the millennia (Laflin, n.d.,; Cohn, 2000). Nevertheless, during those speculated three occasions when the basin was filled, the river would move back to its original position and the ancient Lake Cahuilla, which was formed, would dry up as well due to rapid evaporization (Vessey, 2000). [...]
[...] Unfortunately, it is not only the marine organisms that are affected by the dismal condition of the Salton Sea waters. Even the birds that feed upon the creatures found in this body of waters are in great danger. What used to be a bird's paradise is slowly becoming their very own deathtrap. Over the years, severe and mass deaths of birds have been recorded. The first incidence was in 1992 when almost eared grebes (Podicep nigricollis) perished mysteriously on the shores of Salton Sea and this figure comprised almost seven percent of the remaining population (Geiser, 1999; Friend, 2002). [...]
[...] Commentary; Perspective on Conservation; Salton Sea Is Dead--Keep It That Way; The sea was a mistake in the first place; trying to save it will squander water resources better used elsewhere :[Home Edition]. Los Angeles Times, p Retrieved May from Los Angeles Times database. David K. (2007, April 30). Salton Sea is at a crucial juncture; A draft plan to save it calls for canals, barriers and a lake about one-sixth its current size. Details may be released today: [HOME EDITION]. [...]
[...] Endangered Species Update S6. Kaiser, J. (1999). Battle over a dying sea. Science Kaiser, J. (2000). Bring the Salton Sea back to life. Science Page 565 Knopf, F. L. (1998). Foods of Mountain Plovers wintering in California. The Condor page 382. Laflin, P. The Salton Sea, California's Overlooked Treasure. Coachella Valley Historical Society Landers, J. (2003). Salton Sea plan calls for massive desalination plant. Civil Engineering 18-19. Landers, J. (2004). Latest Salton Sea Restoration Plan includes causeway. Civil Engineering 8-29. Morello, L. (2002). [...]
[...] One main reason posited by the advocated of Salton Sea restoration is that it takes the place of the wetlands that the state has loss (Geiger, 2000). It is due to man's activities that the natural habitat of birds has been destroyed. Therefore, it is but man's responsibility as well to provide a replacement or if not take care of whatever is left for the birds to stay on. Another justification for the revival of Salton Sea is that it holds huge potentials to sustain a healthy and productive fishery area (Kaiser, 1999). [...]
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