The Salton Sea

The Salton Sea is one of the most unusual geographic features in the United States, a large inland lake located in the desert of southeastern California within the low-lying Salton Trough. Today it appears to be a natural lake, but in reality it was accidentally created in 1905 when floodwaters from the Colorado River broke through

irrigation canals and poured unchecked into the desert basin for nearly two years. The basin itself lies more than 200 feet below sea level and had periodically filled with water for thousands of years whenever the Colorado River changed course, forming ancient lakes long before modern settlement.

When engineers finally diverted the river back to its channel in 1907, the accidental lake remained behind, stretching roughly thirty-five miles long and fifteen miles wide. In its early decades the Salton Sea became a surprising oasis in the desert, attracting fish, birds, and tourists who came to fish, swim,

and boat in what promoters hoped would become the “Palm Springs of the 1950s.” During the mid-twentieth century the lake indeed flourished as a recreation destination. Developers built resorts, yacht clubs, and vacation homes along its shores, and fishing tournaments attracted visitors from across Southern California.

and boat in what promoters hoped would become the “Palm Springs of the 1950s.” During the mid-twentieth century the lake indeed flourished as a recreation destination. Developers built resorts, yacht clubs, and vacation homes along its shores, and fishing tournaments attracted visitors from across Southern California.

However, the Salton Sea had no natural outlet, meaning water could only leave through evaporation. Agricultural runoff from surrounding farms steadily flowed into the lake, bringing with it fertilizers, salts, and other chemicals. As water evaporated under the desert sun, the salinity increased until it eventually surpassed that of the Pacific Ocean.

This rising salinity, combined with pollution and declining water levels, led to repeated fish die-offs and bird mortality events beginning in the late twentieth century. The once glamorous shoreline gradually fell into decline as tourism vanished, leaving behind abandoned buildings, crumbling marinas, and eerie reminders of the region’s failed resort dreams.

One of the most famous settlements along the eastern shore of the Salton Sea is Bombay Beach, a small community that once thrived as a fishing and vacation destination during the 1950s and 1960s. At its peak, Bombay Beach had restaurants, trailer parks, and vacation homes filled with anglers hoping to catch corvina

and other fish species introduced to the lake. As environmental conditions deteriorated and the waterline receded, the town’s population shrank dramatically. Many houses were abandoned, streets flooded and dried repeatedly, and the shoreline retreated hundreds of feet. In recent years, however, Bombay Beach has experienced an unusual revival as a haven for artists and experimental thinkers who are drawn to the haunting desert landscape.

government, utilities, or formal infrastructure. Residents generate electricity through solar panels or generators, haul in water, and construct homes from salvaged materials. During the winter months, thousands of seasonal residents arrive in recreational vehicles, creating a temporary desert town filled with artists, musicians, and travelers.