History
The Salton Sea is the largest lake in California, it is a terminal lake with no outflow and a constant inflow of agricultural runoff through the Alamo River, New River, and Whitewater River. The sea was historically inhabited by several species of fish and is still used as a prime migrational landmark for hundreds of species of birds.
​
In 1905, water from the Colorado River was diverted into irrigation canals for agricultural land within the Imperial Valley. However, an unexpected flood caused the canals to breach and the Colorado River changed course and filled the Salton depression. By 1907, the breach was controlled and the remaining body of water became the Salton Sea we know today.
​
The Salton Sea was anciently known to naturally fill due to the overflow of Colorado River, and would occur often over the centuries. At this time, the Salton Sea's continuous shrinking is causing concerns for public health from the multitudes of contaminants within the Salton Sea today.