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The Salton Sea

The Salton Sea, formed accidentally in Southeastern California, is the state's largest lake and a repository for agricultural wastewater. Despite its ecological importance, issues like high salinity, low oxygen levels, and toxic algae blooms threaten its delicate balance. The sea faces an ecological crisis affecting fish and bird populations, necessitating restoration efforts through ecological, technical, and societal strategies to preserve its unique ecosystem while supporting economic development.

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The Salton Sea

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  1. The Salton Sea By: Christine Yafuso

  2. Background • Located in Southeastern California • About 1000 km2 in size • Largest lake in California • Formed between 1904-1907 by accidental flooding of Colorado River (started as freshwater) which eventually filled the Salton Basin • Repository for agricultural wastewater Picture: Salton Sea Authority, California Government 2000

  3. Inflow • Greatest (78%) from major surrounding rivers: Alamo & New • Agriculture accounts for 8% • Ground Water only 4% Picture: Salton Sea Authority, California Government 2000

  4. Characteristics • Chemical & Physical • Nutrients • Metals • Organic Compounds • Ecological • Fish • Birds Picture: Salton Sea Authority, California Government 2000

  5. Salinity • Currently at about 45 ppt • Causes • No surface outflow • Evaporation • Increased input of saline • Increased input of nutrient rich agricultural drainage water Picture: Riedel & Costa-Pierce 2002

  6. Dissolved Oxygen • Low concentrations • Decreases with depth • Rivers flowing into sea also have low concentrations • Average percentages of saturation of dissolved oxygen concentrations for 2 main rivers: Alamo (77.3) & New (66.2) • Main Causes • High eutrophic system • Frequent algae blooms Picture: Barnum et al 2002

  7. Nitrogen & Selenium • Enter Salton Sea (by way of rivers) in high concentrations • N from chemical fertilizers • Se from water used for irrigation • Removal by anoxic sediment from floor • Result: Lower concentrations of N & Se, however, produces noxious odor

  8. Problems • Major cause: No Outflow! • Results in: • High salinity • Low dissolved oxygen levels • Harmful odors (From removed N & Se) • Leads to: • Ecological crisis…

  9. Effects on Fish • 1999: 7.6 mil tilapia and croakers died • Other contributing factors • Toxic ammonia contents & temperature stresses Picture 1: Gulf croakers die-offs Picture 2: Tilapia die-offs Cohn 2000 Desai 2000

  10. Effects on Birds • 1996: About 15,000 birds died-10,000 of them pelicans • Cause: Disease • Avian botulism (bacterial infection): toxin produced by bacteria at high temps & low levels of dissolved oxygen • Paralyzes muscles Picture: Slack 1997

  11. Restoration Alternatives • 1) Ecological • Fish Harvesting • Fish & Wildlife Disease Control • Wetland Reclamation • 2) Technical • Displacement Dikes • Enhanced Evaporation Systems • Solar Ponds • 3) Societal • Enhance Infrastructure • Improve economic status

  12. Goals • Maintain as agricultural drainage reservoir • Restore wildlife & habitat • Encourage more recreational use • Suitable for economicaldevelopment

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