Salton Sea Abstract

Here is a summary of my research and conclusions about the mismanagement of the Salton Sea by our government.

Abstract
Just north of the Imperial Valley in California is the Salton Sea, a lake that was formed in 1905 when a part of the Colorado River overflowed into the Salton Sink. Since then, the lake has become an oasis and a home to hundreds of species of birds and thousands of fish. It is also a major stop on the Pacific Flyway, a migratory route up and down the coast that is flown by more than 100,000 birds. However, this enormously beneficial ecosystem is rapidly shrinking. Salton Sea relies on agricultural drainage, as well as runoff water from the Colorado River to survive, but with ever more increasing amounts being diverted from the river throughout California and to several other states, it could lose 60 percent of its volume in just 20 years, which in turn would dangerously increase its salinity. The lake is relied on locally by birds, fish, and farmers and is valued by many as a place for boating, fishing, camping and other recreational past times. If the lake is allowed to dry up, millions of fish will die, and about 50 species of endangered birds will suffer, most notably the American white pelican and the eared grebe because the lake supports 90 percent of their populations. Also, Salton Sea’s lakebed contains pollutant particles that, when blown into the air, could violate the Clean Air Act. The proposed solution, put together by the Salton Sea Ecosystem Restoration Program that is headed by the Salton Sea Authority, is to recreate the lake into concentric circles that form a doughnut shape. Each section will be separated by rock and gravel and the middle will be nothing but exposed toxic lake bed that will be monitored. It seems that little or no thought was put towards preserving the lake as a part of the environment around it, and as the great ecosystem it has become. What the Salton Sea Ecosystem Restoration Program is doing is not restoration, but reconstruction. Enough of the natural lakes in the United States are struggling to maintain their volume and ecosystems without being destroyed and recreated as well.