Salton Sea is a huge inland rift lake about an hour's drive from Palm Springs. It is located on the San Andreas Fault, and is fed by three rivers. Its surface lies 69 metres below sea level, and its maximum depth is 16 metres. However, it has no water flowing out, only in. This has resulted in the lake becoming very salty. In fact, with 44 grams of salt to each litre of water, it is saltier than the Pacific Ocean. Since the 60s the salt level has risen sharply. In addition, fertiliser run off from nearby farms has led to blooms of algae.
There are ruins of holiday houses and caravans abandoned by people who decided not to keep holidaying on the lake. Many fish species have died out, unable to survive the rising salinity of the water. However, many bird species inhabit or use the lake as they migrate: about 400 different kinds of birds have been seen at Salton Sea.
In 1998 the Sonny Bono Salton Sea Restoration Project was launched, and is investigating ways to save the lake by reducing salt levels and bringing the lake and surrounds back to life. There are now some small settlements of new houses in places near the shore.
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