The Making Of The Salton Sea (El Centro, Alamo: versus, area, county)

[Des-Lab]

I already know the history of the Salton Sea. I know all about the save versus die debates and its current condition. My question has nothing to do with any of that.

One thing I'm just curious about.

Exactly what path did the river take to fill it? Can someone draw a route on a map? The breach was stopped by the SP railroad dumping boulders, rocks, sand, etc over it.

Does any of the detritus still exist or was it all cleaned up? Surely two years of rocks must've created a hell of a pile. And purely as a historical curiosity, if it's still in place, can someone drop a pin on a map showing me where as well? I've done some looking in Google Earth and can't seem to find anything like that. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

Thanks in advance.

[RosieSD]

This 1906 map shows the area right after the breech occurred.

https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/det...logical-survey

If you compare it to a modern topographic map, you should be able to figure it out. Tip: Remember that the water flowed into the Salton Sink southeast to northwest, not the other way around.)

Here are a couple of articles that might be helpful to you:

https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/...ry/imperial-2/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Canal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_River


Also, if you are out in the area, consider stopping into the Imperial County Historical Society's Pioneer Museum in El Centro (not open during the summer months). They are great about answering questions and they have very interesting displays about IV history. I do a lot of photography out in the Imperial Valley based on things I learned from them about the Valley's history.

Finally, if you haven't already been there, a road trip up through Box Canyon (east of Mecca) is a definite must if you're interested in the geology of this fascinating area. It really helped me to understand that it wasn't just a man made boo boo that brought water down into the Salton Sink.


Hope this helps!

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

This 1906 map shows the area right after the breech occurred.

https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/det...logical-survey

If you compare it to a modern topographic map, you should be able to figure it out. Tip: Remember that the water flowed into the Salton Sink southeast to northwest, not the other way around.)

Here are a couple of articles that might be helpful to you:

https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/...ry/imperial-2/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Canal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_River


Also, if you are out in the area, consider stopping into the Imperial County Historical Society's Pioneer Museum in El Centro (not open during the summer months). They are great about answering questions and they have very interesting displays about IV history. I do a lot of photography out in the Imperial Valley based on things I learned from them about the Valley's history.

Finally, if you haven't already been there, a road trip up through Box Canyon (east of Mecca) is a definite must if you're interested in the geology of this fascinating area. It really helped me to understand that it wasn't just a man made boo boo that brought water down into the Salton Sink.


Hope this helps!

Very Interesting.