[CedarDave]

The Salton Sea is literally a cesspool. Below sea level, it was created in 1905 when the Colorado River, then free flowing except for small diversion dams, broke through one of them and all water was diverted into the then dry lake bed. It took two years to stop the flow and since then irrigation water drainage, crop water seepage and sewage (mainly from Mexico) has continued to flow into the lake. In the meantime, to conserve water, agricultural practices have changed, canals lined and water consumption decreased. Less water flows into the lake, evaporation reduces the volume and increasing salinity reduces the number of species who have made the manmade lake their home. With increasing salinity comes increasing toxicity of chemicals used in farming which also threaten life there. Finally, those dry salt deposits containing elements like arsenic and selenium are exposed to wind erosion and spread as minute dust particles.

Various schemes to divert more fresh water to the lake all involve unpopular tradeoffs with users who already face water restrictions due to the ongoing drought. The most viable solution in my opinion (other than a no action alternative) is one proposed that would build a large seawater pipeline or canal from the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) to the lake. That uninterruptible source of water could also be used as a source for a desalination plant which would supplement fresh water and whose effluent, if not too salty, might actually improve or stabilize salinity in the existing water. Though the $500 million cost appears lower than other solutions, state and federal officials dismiss it as impractical.

[mfish13]

How does the water flow back up the Colorado River from Mexico and into the Salton Sea?

[mrsmith]

The salt water canal is a very good idea.
Another good idea would be to fill it up with sewage from all of California. Raise it above sea level. Would also bury the waste already there safely under ground.

Heck, hauling garbage there would give Moonbeam an actually practical reason to build a bullet train.

[The KG9 Kid]

From the article:

"Birds still love the lake. They flock here year round and especially during migratory flights. The Salton Sea provides habitat for more than 400 species — the second-greatest diversity of bird species in the United States. The National Audubon Society considers it a bird site of global significance."

Then:

"Bird populations would plummet if the lake shrank further, if wetlands disappeared and fish populations withered. But it is the dust that scares people. After years of farm runoff, the lake bed is toxic, with high levels of arsenic, selenium and even traces of the banned pesticide DDT."

... DDT, which was supposed to erase bird populations worldwide, I thought.

I grew up in Southern California less than 70 miles from the Salton Sea and never saw the place.

If they want to put a natural freshwater lake back in California, then re-flood Owens Valley up in Inyo-Mono county and tell Los Angeles to call it quits.

[Parley Baer]

Actually the Salton Sea has been filled with water a few times in history. It is believed that the Colorado river has changed it course and filled the basin a few times over the years. It has been named Lake Cahuilla and the old shore lines are plainly visible in certain locations. The Indians have left pottery and other signs along the old shore lines. The latest time was around 1500.

[thackney]

The Salton Sea was a man-made accident, don’t spend taxpayer money to “save” it.

[Born to Conserve]

I think we better just let it dry out...

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/8615/gvtx.jpg

The Monster that Challenged the World.

[Bellflower]

They need to learn what repent means and pray God sends them the right amount of rain. Only He can. It’s all about His judgment, not “global warming”.