Carlsbad is not part of the "The Empty Interior" of the United States. However, just a few hours directly to the east is the Salton Sea which is part of this expansive, sparsely populated region. The history of the inland salt water body is marked by extreme change. Located in the area called the Salton Sink, which is 230 feet below sea level, the Salton Sea has appeared and disappeared several times over the last three million years. Depending on the changing flow of the Colorado River north into the Sink, then back to the south again, the lake was created accidentally recently. In the late 1800's farming in the area was supported by irrigation canals pulled from the Colorado River. In 1905, during higher than normal flows, the Colorado River overtook the canals and filled the Salton Sink area forming the largest lake in California. As a result, the Salton Sea has become a vital habitat for 400 species of birds. It is also home to approximately 10 million talapia fish. Unfortunately, the salt level is increasing 1% every year and consequently major devastating ecological events are occurring in the area. If this trend continues unchecked, much of the wildlife in this area is at risk. In recent years, plans are being discussed about how to offset these changes.
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