Salt in Sea EarthCache
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The Salton Sea is California's largest lake. Created in 1905, the lake's salinity concentration is ~44 g/L (grams per liter). Lying in the Salton Sink, the basin is below sea level. Once part of the Pacific Ocean, mountain ranges rose on either side of the Imperial Valley, creating the depression. Based on current scientific theory, over hundreds of thousands of years, the basin has alternately been submerged and dry, depending on river flow and rainfall.
The lake was created by accident. Irrigation canals were built to divert water into the area from the Colorado River. After two years, the canals clogged with silt carried by the river. The 1905 flood waters breached the head gates of the canals and dikes, eroding the waterways and eventually emptying the Colorado River into the basin for nearly two years. With no drainage, the basin filled with water and formed the Salton Sea. The basin remains full and salty with continued agricultural waste water runoff and increased use of sodium-laden fertilizers.
To log this earthcache, please visit the site and submit your answers to the following questions:
1) The lake's salinity levels are changing. Do you believe they are rising or falling, and why? Think about why the basin remains full.
2) Is the salinity level of the lake higher or lower than the Pacific Ocean?
3) The basin has been occupied by several ancient lakes. What evidence do you see preserved on the the shoreline hillsides that support this fact?
4) Using your GPSr, record the sea level at the shoreline.
OPTIONAL: Photographs of yourself or surroundings will be met with giddy earthcache-geek excitement.
Placed by a member of Denton Area Wayward Geocache Seekers.
Additional Hints
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