Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Established in 1930, Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is located on the northwestern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. The refuge encompasses a vital habitat in an otherwise arid desert landscape, sustaining a variety of wetland ecosystems, marshes, and open water areas that support an abundance of wildlife. It spans a desert basin characterized by hot, dry conditions but interrupted by the saline waters of the Salton Sea — a large, shallow, saline rift lake formed by an accidental Colorado River flood in 1905. Dramatic fluctuations in water levels and salinity have influenced the refuge's habitats and wildlife populations over time. The refuge provides critical stopover, nesting, and wintering grounds for thousands of migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway, including pelicans, terns, gulls, herons, egrets, and endangered species such as the Yuma Ridgway’s rail and desert pupfish. Birdwatching is the primary recreational draw, with visitors often spotting rare and diverse waterfowl and shorebirds. The area also supports various mammals and reptiles adapted to desert and wetland interface environments. The refuge features interpretive trails and designated viewing platforms, although visitor facilities remain minimal to preserve its natural character. Due to ongoing ecological challenges including increasing salinity and shrinking water inflows, conservation efforts are critical to maintaining the refuge’s ecological balance and wildlife habitat quality. Visitors are drawn by the stark contrast of desert and water, rich birdlife, and the refuge’s important role in regional biodiversity conservation.
