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Recent History

Feb 1908

An injunction imposed by court during New Liverpool Salt Co. trial orders that no more water be allowed to flow into the Salton Sea which necessitates that the Holt Power Company cease operation as it derived its power from water wasted into the Alamo River through its turbines.

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Sept 1908

Predictions of the Salton Seas demise were rampant.  Evaporation, very little rainfall, paltry amount of runoff from canal system all meant that loss of water was greater than water added.

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Jan 1912

The Salton Sea retreats with the surface falling 22 feet since its peak in 1907

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June 1914

A levee breech causes flooding once again, but it is brief.

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July 1915

The level of the Salton Sea continues to drop from its peak depth of 76 feet to just over 40 feet (appx. 10 meters).

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1924

PWR (Public Water Reserve) Executive Order 90 (1924) and 114 (1928) by Calvin Coolidge to reserve the boundaries of the Salton Sea, below 244 and then 220 feet (below sea level) for disposal of waste water from irrigation is what set the foundation for the sustenance of the Salton Sea.  These orders were revoked by Public Land Order 6105, March 5, 1982.

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1924

Long a thorn in the side of Imperial Valley farmers were the complications related to the Imperial / Alamo canal being largely in Mexico.  Surveys were done to establish the viability of a canal system to supply the valley completely on US soil.

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1925

Salton Sea reaches is lowest level, but…

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May 1927

Heavy rain and runoff from the past several years, in combination with additional runoff from expanding number of farms has raised the level of the Salton Sea several feet.

Expansion of farmland and additional runoff from irrigated areas approached the level needed to not just sustain the Salton Sea, but raise it.

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1927

The Salton Sea’s level rose for several years until the Southern Pacific Railroad complained that land that it owned next to the sea was agreed to not be covered.

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Dec 1928

  The US Congress passes the Boulder Canyon Project Act and is signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge, paving the way for construction of the All American Canal.

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1931

Efforts to improve sections of the Salton Sea shore are made with mention of winter resorts.

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Apr 1952

Worries about the Salton Sea center on its rising (rather than falling) level because of the new All American Canal bringing more water to more farms, with the resulting additional runoff and seepage.

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1961

Depth of Salton Sea is approximately 52 feet maximum depth

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Apr 1962 – North Shore Beach

North Shore Beach was one of several planned developments created near the Salton Sea in the late 1950s.  It was envisioned as a recreational resort community on the northeast shore of the  Salton Sea.

The developers invested large amounts of money in infrastructure such as roads, power, fresh water supply, and even an airstrip that supported amphibious planes.  Potential buyers and investors were tantalized by the prospect of cheap property they felt was destined to increase in value very quickly.  A yacht club, boat marina, and hotel were also constructed as part of the project to further entice people to the region.

North Shore Beach Community

The North Shore Beach development, featuring a yacht club, marina, and hotel.

Note; The aerial image was taken mid-afternoon looking east from a plane taking off from the landing strip north east of the yacht club and marina.

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Sept 1976

Hurricane Kathleen raises the Salton Sea, along with a couple of other hurricanes in the 1970s.

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1995

Depth of the Salton Sea is just over 52 feet.

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1998

Wild life refuge area at Salton Sea established in 1930 was renamed in honor of Sonny Bono

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Life of the Salton Sea