2023-05-07 10:17:00
Once Upon a Time in America. The largest lake in the state of California was created by accident. Or rather: through a mishap and amateurishness. In 1905, after heavy rains, the waters of the Colorado River spilled into a depression in the Colorado Desert through improperly constructed canals and a broken dam.
It was only after two years that the leak could finally be patched and the unwanted diversion of the water stopped. In the meantime, east of what is now Anza-Borrego State Park, an artificial lake had been created that stretched over an area of 1,000 square meters: The Salton Sea was more than twice the size of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada, which is much further north in California .
Contrary to all expectations, the liquid in this desert area did not seep away or evaporate within a short time. Resourceful real estate agents sensed big business: They developed small holiday resorts such as Salton City and Bombay Beach with holiday homes on the banks. Added to this was the infrastructure suitable for day trippers with restaurants, hotels and marinas for motor boats.
The region prospered until the 1950s. San Diego and Hollywood are only a two and a half hour drive away. Instead of always going to Palm Springs, Los Angeles stars like Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys are said to have enjoyed themselves at the Salton Sea.
Dead fish instead of summer freshness
But there was a problem with the artificial lake, it lacked a natural inflow and outflow. Fish were released, which proliferated and attracted migratory birds, but torrential rains caused severe flooding and prolonged droughts led to massive lowering of the water level.
From the 1970s the lake began to collapse and the ecological catastrophe took its course, starting with increasing salinity. The discharged fertilizers from agriculture caused algae growth and a lack of oxygen, which in turn resulted in massive fish deaths.
Toxic hydrogen sulphide, which pollutes the air, is still being produced by sediment to this day. People have long since fled and the tourist infrastructure is falling apart. Today only a few people live in the remaining trailer parks on the dried-up shore.
Also read:
– Every designer’s nightmare: Welcome to California’s craziest hotel
– Instagram hype: Tourists pose in front of this pink door
– The avant-garde in the California desert: Palm Springs – Where stars and architects let off steam
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