Salton Sea

The Salton Sea is the largest lake in California and a refuge for birds. It is located in the Imperial Valley and has been shrinking since the 1960s. When it was created, it measured about ten miles long and five miles wide, but now it is only six miles long and two miles wide. The water level has fluctuated over time due to drought conditions, but it remains at an elevated level today due to climate change.

The Salton Sea is also home to many fish species that are threatened by pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development around the lake. The most common fish species found in this area include bass, catfish and carp. Many of these species have been found to have high levels of mercury contamination in their bodies due to mercury-laden groundwater flowing into the lake from surrounding agricultural lands.