Marina Jetty with Flock of Birds in North Shore, The Salton Sea, Imperial Valley, California USA


The Salton Sea is an inland saline lake, located in the Colorado Desert in Southern California. The lake covers a surface area of approximately 376 square miles, making it the largest lake in California. Fertilizer runoff combined with the increasing salinity and inflow of highly polluted water from the northward-flowing New River have resulted in large algal blooms and elevated bacteria levels. The New River is considered to be the single most polluted river in America. North Shore, California is a virtually empty town in southeastern Riverside County, so named because of its location along the northeast shore of the Salton Sea. It was once a popular vacation destination spot before ever-increasing salinity and pollution of the Salton Sea shut the town down. North Shore is notable as the home of the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, one of California's greatest birdwatching areas. Established in 1930 by presidential proclamation and with an original area of over 35,000 acres. One abandoned building is particularly noteworthy. The North Shore Yacht Club is an early Albert Frey design and was in active use until 1984. It was once possible to enter the lobby prior to its being boarded up, although stairs leading to the second floor had been removed prior to its abandonment. The lobby was once littered with hotel receipts dating back to its last days.


Size: 5984px × 3989px
Location: North Shore, The Salton Sea, Imperial Valley, California
Photo credit: © Ian Grant / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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