Near Mecca in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Salton Sea

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 15, 2013

1. The Salton Sea Marker

Inscription. Once connected to the Gulf of California, waters within the Salton Basin extended nearly to Palm Springs. Because of deposits from the silt laden Colorado River, the north end of the gulf (now in Imperial County) was sealed off and Lake Cahuilla was formed. Lake Cahuilla was considerably larger than the present day Salton Sea. Its ancient shoreline can still be seen on the hills west of the sea. After many thousands of years, Lake Cahuilla's waters receded leaving a dry lakebed. The Salton Sea was formed between 1905 and 1907. The Colorado River was tapped near Yuma, Arizona to allow irrigation waters to flow into the Imperial Valley. Storms and high waters washed through the canals and the river flowed almost unchecked into the Salton Basin. After much labor, mostly paid for by the Southern Pacific Railroad, the breech was closed in 1907. Water level within the sea is now maintained by agricultural runoff, inflow from the New, the Alamo and the Whitewater Rivers, and by rainfall. The sea is about 35 miles long by 15 miles wide. It has a maximum depth of 50 feet. Its salinity is slightly greater than the Pacific Ocean. The surface of the Salton Sea averages at 230 feet below sea level.
The Salton Sea Recreation Area
was dedicated
Apri 12, 1955

Erected 1996 by Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus in Cooperation with the State Department of Parks and Recreation. (Marker Number 84.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 33° 30.224′ N, 115° 54.893′ W. Marker is near Mecca, California, in Riverside County. It can be reached from State Park Road. The marker is located on the right-hand side of the entrance to the

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Visitor Center of the Salton Sea State Recreation Area Headquarters Campground. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 State Park Road, Mecca CA 92254, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Coachella Valley,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: North Shore Beach & Yacht Club (approx. 1.7 miles away); Shaver's Well (approx. 7.9 miles away); Young Divisional Camp (approx. 13.3 miles away); The Desert Training Center (approx. 15½ miles away); a different marker also named Desert Training Center (approx. 15½ miles away); 33-barreled Organs (approx. 15.6 miles away); California-Arizona Maneuver Area (approx. 15.6 miles away); Romero Pass (approx. 15.6 miles away).

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 15, 2013

2. The Salton Sea Marker

More about this marker. During World War II a U.S. Naval Base was established on the south-western shore near present-day Salton City. On February 4, 1999 a WWII era, barnacle-encrusted Grumman Avenger airplane was discovered by Riverside County Sheriff's divers while searching for the missing plane of an elderly couple who crashed on December 25, 1999 into the Salton Sea. The Plaque erection and dedication were in cooperation with the State Department of Parks and Recreation.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

The Salton Sea image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 15, 2013

3. The Salton Sea

The Salton Sea from the North Shore Beach & Yacht Club image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Doreen Thomson, October 11, 2014

4. The Salton Sea from the North Shore Beach & Yacht Club

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2013, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,162 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2013, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4. submitted on October 13, 2014, by Doreen Thomson of Calgary, Alberta Canada. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.