At thirty-five miles long and 15 miles wide Salton Sea is the largest lake in California. Twice the size of Lake Tahoe. Situated in the Sonoran Desert the land where it stands was originally a salt sink and then in 1905 a broken canal sent water from the Colorado River to form the salty lake. For several decades the lake was a welcome home to many species of birds and fish. In the 1950s through the 70’s, Bombay Beach and the surrounding area of Salton Sea became a popular resort town and place for fishing, boating and water skiing. Over time due to runoff from farms the saline lake became more toxic, the lake shrank, the wildlife started to die, and many people moved away. Today artists and hipsters are moving back, and Salton Sea houses the lowest town in the United States, located 223 feet below sea level.
Mostly visitors are attracted to the strangeness of the place as an abandoned wasteland. Some visit the sculptures on Bombay Beach or the art festival. Others contribute to the ecological rehabilitation projects to help improve the environment. For the ecologically minded who want to see the results of this man-made disaster, or photographers looking to record it or if you are passing by it is worth the stop. The Salton Sea State Recreation Area has day use areas for kayaking, fishing (Tilapia), and overnight camping. Be prepared, sometimes the air smells of dead fish and it is very dusty from the dirt surrounding the lake.
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