February 9, 2011 - Indio, California - Salton Sea

Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is a story that has evloved over hundreds of thousands of years. It lies a few miles south of Palm Springs, California and at one time was a water playground for all. This large mass of water stands out in the middle of the desert, 15 miles from one shore line to another and 35 miles long covering an area of about 400 square miles. Standing at the shoreline you are 227 feet (69 meters) below sea level and to put this in perspective it is only five feet higher than the lowest point in Death valley. This lake is saltier than the ocean and is becoming saltier every year with more decay of dead fish and other substances that run off into this area.The beach if you can call it that is not sand but layers upon layers of barnacles and bones from millions of fish that have expired here in mass die-offs over the years. Once a thriving community with lots of land to sell it has now become just about inhabitable. The smell from the sulfuric decay is to say the least overwhelming and the only fish that can now survive in this salty mess is a fish called talipia