The Salton Sea region was part of the Gulf of California until about 4.4 million years ago. The Colorado River silt eventually blocked off the gulf and separated the region from the Pacific Ocean. Over the centuries at least 5 lakes occupied the basin where the current Salton Sea lies. The Salton Sea was created between 1905 and 1907 when the Colorado River broke through diversion canals in the irrigation system in Imperial County.

The water line of ancient Lake Cahuilla is still visible on the western shores of the Salton Sea near Travertine Point and in La Quinta.

The New Liverpool Salt Works began operation in 1885, near the present day town of North Shore.Native Cahuilla Indians and local settlers worked the 1,000 acre mine.All buildings were underwater by 1906 as the basin flooded. The salt deposits, said to cover 1,000 acres at 15’ thick, contributed to the salinity of the new ‘sea’. Approximately 600 tons of added salt continue to be deposited in the sea annually through irrigation water from the Colorado River. An engineering mistake had given birth to the Salton Sea, 35 miles long by 15 miles wide.

Gus Eilers opened a resort in 1927. Gus was responsible for having the first boat races on the Salton Sea. For 20 years he and his family catered to desert dwellers who wanted to experience this beautiful water playground in the middle of the desert. He hosted the rich and famous, the “boys” from Camp Young, sailors from the Salton Sea Naval Air Station and even Patton himself. Guy Lombardo held many speed records on water, some set here at Eilers Date Palm Beach. Roy Hunter bought Date Palm Beach in 1947 and changed the name to Desert Beach, which still exists today. With many improvements, Desert Beach became a full-fledged yacht club.

The Salton Sea, California's largest inland lake, supports a spectacular bird population that is among the most concentrated and most diverse in the world. Sadly, this crucial stopover along the Pacific Flyway for migratory and wintering shorebirds, land birds, and waterfowl is dangerously close to collapse from several environmental threats. More than 400 species and subspecies in all have been spotted at the Salton Sea.

The Salton Sea is at a critical juncture, with most of the water coming from agricultural sources. New conservation measures are drastically reducing the inflow and proposed water transfers will further reduce inflow. 2018 may be the point of no return for the Salton Sea. If a restoration plan isn't adopted soon, we may lose this treasure of Southern California.

Without immediate intervention, the Salton Sea region will become a wasteland. Agriculture, recreation, human habitation and wildlife will suffer irreversible damage.