Why does the Salton Sea smell?

There's an unmistakable smell in the air. One that creeps into the Coachella Valley during the hot, sticky days of summer. The sulfuric odor typically shows up when the mercury and humidity are high, and levels of hydrogen sulfide spike in the Salton Sea.

Does the Salton Sea always smell?

The Salton Sea can stink at times because of the organic matter, like dead fish rotting on the lake floor. Michael Cohen, a longtime Salton Sea researcher at the water think tank "Pacific Institute," says a lot of ecological activity happens in these waters -- just not the kind we might like.

Why is the Salton Sea so toxic?

The mud is laced with toxic chemicals such as chromium, zinc, lead, and pesticides like DDT. The local economy in the surrounding Imperial County is largely supported by agriculture, and because of pesticide use, according to USCS, these chemicals break into the groundwater, and pollute the lake.

Can you swim in the Salton Sea?

Salton Sea beach is located along the western shore of the Salton Sea. The sea is not safe for swimming, boating or fishing.

Why does Salton Sea smell like sulfur?

The smell is coming from the Salton Sea, where elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide have developed. It's caused by decaying organic matter. Its presence may be felt on and off through Thursday, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Salton Sea Documentary - Exposing California's Dirty Secret

Why does Palm Springs stink?

There's an unmistakable smell in the air. One that creeps into the Coachella Valley during the hot, sticky days of summer. The sulfuric odor typically shows up when the mercury and humidity are high, and levels of hydrogen sulfide spike in the Salton Sea.

Are there any fish left in the Salton Sea?

Today, the Salton Sea is 25% saltier than the ocean, meaning the only fish that can survive in it are the local desert pupfish and the high-salt tolerant tilapia, introduced by accident from a tropical fish farm.

Who owns the Salton Sea?

Almost all the land under the Salton Sea is owned by three entities: the federal government, California's Imperial Irrigation District, and the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.

Why are there no boats on the Salton Sea?

As the sea is comparatively shallow, sudden strong winds--especially from November through April and occasionally during the balance of the year--create short, heavy swells three to six feet high, making small boat operation unsafe.

Was the Salton Sea man made?

The water is 30 percent saltier than the Pacific Ocean. In fact, this man-made disaster of a lake has gotten so salty that scientists say it now threatens some of the birds that rely on it.

Is the Salton Sea natural or manmade?

Although large seas have cyclically formed and dried over historic time in the basin due to natural flooding from the Colorado River, the current Salton Sea was formed when Colorado River floodwater breached an irrigation canal being constructed in the Imperial Valley in 1905 and flowed into the Salton Sink.

Why is Salton City abandoned?

There were many businesses that set up shop in the town, including hotels and restaurants. However, due to rising sea levels, high salinity, and pollution of the sea, the plans did not come through, and Salton City was mostly abandoned.

How far away can you smell the Salton Sea?

Late Monday, Wallerstein said it was "highly unusual for odors to remain strong up to 150 miles from their source." The agency said the high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were not enough to cause "irreversible harm to human health."

Does Bombay Beach smell?

Now, Bombay Beach is a bleached, rusted, abandoned wasteland. The water smells of salt, petrol, and rotting fish. The shores, once lined with sunbathers, are covered in green sludge and desiccated fish carcasses. It's an apocalyptic landscape.

How deep is the Salton Sea?

The Salton Sea is currently 35 miles by 15 miles and can be as large as 40 miles by almost 20 miles in particularly wet years. It has an average depth of 29.9 feet and, at its deepest, is 51 feet.

What's underneath the Salton Sea?

The earth deep below the southern Salton Sea is rich in hot, mineral-abundant brine that contains some of the world's largest deposits of lithium, and Colwell and others envision a “Lithium Valley” that would establish California as a global production hub and employ thousands of workers for generations to come.

How did Salton Sea get salty?

Surface and subsurface drainage waters are carried to the Salton Sea via agricultural drains and rivers (Alamo and New rivers). The concentration of salt in the Salton Sea increases by a rate of approximately 1% annually. The present Salton Sea was created in 1905-07 when Colorado River Flooded the Sonoran Desert.

Can the Salton Sea be saved?

The clock is ticking on a solution. The California Natural Resources Agency — the lead government entity charged with restoring or mitigating the Salton Sea — owes the state a long-term plan to fix the problem by the end of 2022.

Will the Salton Sea dry up?

An unprecedented drought amplified by the climate crisis and growing demand for water in southern California are both hastening the Salton Sea's decline. Researchers predict that the sea could lose nearly three-quarters of its volume by 2030.

Is there lithium in the Salton Sea?

It is well known that the Salton Sea area has stores of lithium, possibly enough to meet the country's needs in order to domestically produce batteries for energy storage and electric vehicles (EVs).

Is Salton Sea worth visiting?

Pack your binoculars! The Salton Sea is a major draw for hundreds of different species of birds, making it a favorite stop for birdwatchers. The Salton Sea is home to the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge. Thanks to its location within the Pacific Flyway, the Refuge is a significant spot for resting migratory birds.

Are boats allowed on Salton Sea?

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area

Visitors may opt for day use, fishing, boating, picnicking and birding, as well as overnight camping. Some highlights: You can boat or water ski or learn how to operate a powerboat.

Do any animals live in the Salton Sea?

There are many species that have adapted to this anomaly and continued to thrive; for instance, the unique tilapia found in the Salton Sea, migratory birds such as the ruddy duck, and the lowland leopard frog, whose home is historically found mainly in Arizona, just to name a few.

Why is the Salton Sea important?

The Salton Sea, which is saltier than the Pacific Ocean, includes 130 miles of shoreline and is larger than Lake Tahoe. The Salton Sea is an important stopping point for migratory waterfowl, and serves as critical habitat for birds moving south to Mexico and Central America.