Did you know that the area from Palm Springs to northern Mexico was once covered with water that created ancient Lake Cahuilla? This prehistoric lake was once about 105 miles long and 35 miles wide. It covered over 2200 sq. mi. of land and had an average depth of 229 feet. The lake likely was at its greatest extent around 40,000 years ago and water was supplied to the lake by the Colorado river…the demise of the lake occurred as sedimentation repeatedly caused the river to shift its course as it neared its delta near the Gulf of California.
The lake was transformed during the last 2,000 years by its cycles of drying up and refilling periodically until it disappeared sometime after 1580. In 1905 the collapse of a levy in the Imperial valley allowed the flow of the Colorado river to fill what is known today as the “Salton Sink” creating the Salton Sea.
During Lake Cahuilla’s existence the lake supported fish, birds, vegetation on the shorelines and groups of an indigenous population known as the Cahuilla tribes. These tribes of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians are now a vital part of the Palm Springs area and have had success in leasing their tribal lands throughout the area.
At its highest level the water depth of Lake Cahuilla was around 42 feet above sea level…compare that to Indio being about 13 feet below sea level and the Salton Sea 226 feet below sea level. With a bit of exploration you can see evidence of the high water mark and shoreline of this ancient lake. The included photo was taken near the corner of Madison and Avenue 58. You can clearly identify the whitish deposit of travertine that was created from the high concentration of calcium carbonate, the material derived from dissolved sea shells. Tufa deposits were also common on the shoreline but are no longer visible.
Another interesting geological fact about the area is the existence of a string of low-lying volcano domes rising from the southern Salton Sea. These small islands are known as the “Salton Buttes” and are visible from the shore at the south end of the Salton Sea. The last volcanic activity was approximately 1800 years ago.
There were many small towns and communities that grew up on the premise during the 1950’s of the Salton Sea becoming a playground for the residents of Southern California. Towns in areas formerly covered by Lake Cahuilla include, from north to south, Indio, Thermal, Mecca, Mortmar, Niland, Calipatria, Brawley, Imperial, and El Centro. Several of these towns have fallen into disrepair as the Salton Sea became too salty. A day trip around the lake can be instructive to the reality of failed dreams. This is a photo of Bombay Beach.
The Salton Sea area has been determined to be a significant site for geothermal energy development. Below ground is a large geothermal reservoir with the potential to produce large amounts of electricity through the production of steam for power generation. Most recently the brine produced has been discovered to be rich in lithium making the Salton Sea a significant source for lithium mining.
