Water Skiing Salton Sea June 2008

Hightlights of our most recent trip water skiing at the Salton Sea. It's not polluted, and my family has skied there every year for the last 40+ years!
The shore can be a bit icky where the wind and waves don't clear things out (like the stagnant parts of any lake), but once you're out on the lake it is great! There are occasional fish die offs when it gets really hot and still (August usually), but mostly it is just really good skiing; flat water, no crowds! The marina at the State Recreation Area in North Shore is the only place we know of to launch anymore; unfortunately things around the sea are in a sad state of disrepair due to lack of use and interest.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Salton Sea
• Water Skiing

[utbebrett]

Just so you know, the Salton Sea is polluted. The New River (been labeled as the most polluted river in North America) flows from Mexicali into the Salton Sea. The New River's 'water' is only 30% water (you can imagine what the other 70% is) and has hepatitis, and typhoid in it's water. Just FYI!

[msmrricci]

From the US Bureau of Reclamations web site Salton Sea page:

"At the international boundary, the New River's flow consists mainly of partially treated and raw sewage, agricultural drainage water, and powerplant effluent. It also contains detergents, pesticides, and other...chemicals. However, by the time the River reaches the Sea, the water quality is improved through natural cleansing that occurs in the intervening 50 miles."

and that's 30 miles away at the other end, can't even see that far.

[msmrricci]

"Apart from the salt, the Salton Sea water would legally comply with most EPA drinking water standards. Although it is too salty to drink, it meets state recreational water standards."

From "Salton Sea Atlas" published by the Redlands Institute of the University of Redlands, 2002. ISBN 1-58948-043-0

[utbebrett]

I guess I stand corrected. Thanks for the info!

[msmrricci]

No problem... it's a very common misconception that is really hurting efforts to stabilize the salinity and water level (the real problems facing the sea). The area is extremely important for bird migrations and has offset the loss of wetland habitat on the pacific coast.

Unfortunately, the media and the photographers only publish the most sensational factoids and photos that distort the more detailed (although maybe less exciting) reality of the situation.

[Derrricification]

@msmrricci All I can say is, I've been there once (February 2010), and smelled nothing but horrible stench, thousands of dead fish, and disgusting green, opaque water. I would not even consider swimming in it. This was in the middle of Winter. I can't imagine the kind of horrid hell it must be during the Summer when it is 120 degrees outside. You won't see me swimming in that crap.

[optical76]

looks like grandma and grandpa cant let go of a bad real estate investment back in the hay day. that is disgusting and the government lies about land pollution all the time. they say the joliet ammunition dump in the midewin prarie isn't polluted anymore from the bomb tests they did in the 40's. i along with some geologist friends actually tested 200 soil and water areas. guess what. insane amounts of cancer causing levels there from pcb's to arsenic.

[stragi]

@utbebrett lol no it isn't tardwagon

[InstrumentalGamer]

Man, people are so overreacting. I live at the Salton Sea. It's not polluted.

[Fonzi79]

EWWWWW....Have you tested the water to actucally be able to say that it ain't polluted.. You couldn't pay me any amount to stuck my toe in that nasty water.... I'm feeling icky just watching you in that water without a wet suit...

[CaJeffO]

If I were your neighbor? (OR even if I find out who you are) --- I would call CPS and demand your children be tested for Polio, Typhoid, Hepititas & botchulism poisoning.

This is the most poluted body of water in the entire USA and you have your kids swimming in it. SEE THESE VIDEOS:

/watch?v=BKsK13NDkpg

/watch?v=DW-B1oAK1fM

/watch?v=RtRROYXU4LI&NR=1

[deniseaustinlover]

"believing the media hype"???

I live in San Diego, amigo; I've been to the Salton Sea several times. I speak from personal experience AND from research when I saw it's a SEWER of various waste and chemicals. The only people I've ever heard call this "beautiful" are the tree-hugging eco-loons, who are off their rockers a bit to to begin with in my opinion.

[deniseaustinlover]

PS:

"..unfortunately things around the sea are in a sad state of disrepair due to lack of use and interest." - MSMRRICCI

Kinda like Chernobyl, eh?

You gonna fly over there and let those kids run through the surrounding fields, next?!

[deniseaustinlover]

OMG....you've got CHILDREN in THERE?!

I was going to comment in jest about the board and the boat eventually dissolving into nothing as the clip wore on and then I saw those innocent little kids in there and I about had a heart-attack.

That sea is a toxic soup of industrial and agricultural chemicals and pollutants!

And it SMELLS like a cess pool to boot!!

[MyBlip]

Nice video. We go to the sea quite often, we don't go in the water but it is certainly beautiful to look at.