Salton Sea remains victim of 'water wars'

In a forum held at Del Webb Sun City Palm Desert on Sep. 16, panelists discussed the fate of the Salton Sea in light of the water transfers and quantification evaluations pending in the use of Colorado River water.

Jayne Harkins of the Bureau of Reclamation explained that the Salton Sea was

created by a flood of the Colorado River when water flowed back into an existing sink of land in which there had been water off and on for centuries. The 1928 Boulder (Hoover) Dam project sought to control the river's flooding and hold water for power generation and consumption. Water contracts through the years set a limit of 4.4 million acre-feet per year for California, but "water wars" have occurred with states claiming rights to use of the Colorado River. A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case (Arizona v. California) affirmed the set limit for California and the limits of 2.8 million acre-feet for Arizona and 300,000 acre-feet for Nevada, with California allowed to use any unused water from the Arizona and Nevada allotments. More usage guidelines were imposed in 2001 that will govern until 2016. But by Dec. 31, 2003, there must be a determination of how much water will be available.

Andy Home of the Imperial Irrigation District said some conservation and better water usage might result if some farms in the Imperial and Coachella valleys were left fallow. The Imperial Irrigation District, for example, has a "claim" on 3 million acre-feet of water. Quantification agreements and settlements cover transfers of water from agriculture to domestic use between the various water districts of Southern California. If some land is left fallow, there would be less use of the water, but the concept is not popular because the perception is that it is just transferring water to urban use, not conserving it. And if such transfers occur, less inflow will come to the Salton Sea, and that would adversely affect the salinity and depth levels of the sea.

Tom Levy of the Coachella Valley Water District pointed out that there are 35 million people in California, but that number will rise to 46 million by 2020. The coastal areas will grow to 21 million from their present 17 million, and the population of the Coachella Valley will at least double in the next 33 years. Such growth will put tremendous strains on existing water resources, regardless of whether that water comes from snow melt, California entitlements, the Colorado River or ground water. Although efforts are being made to desalinate ocean water and use reclaimed wastewater, these efforts are not yet sufficient to meet the expected demands. Levy said if water runoff does not occur to the Salton Sea, its surface will drop to 235 feet below sea level and that will expose 16,000 acres of land. The drop will create increased dust pollution problems and jeopardize the sea and the wildlife using the sea.

Mark Nichols of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians said there are so many issues involving water rights and usage and the Salton Sea's future that it is necessary to come to a direction that will connect the issues and create solutions. He said the Salton Sea is an important resource as California's largest inland lake and the second most important area for broad diversity of plants and animals. It is also one of the last of the 5 percent of California lands that are true wetlands.

Dr. Tim Krantz of the University of Redlands emphasized that even small reductions of inflow into the Salton Sea will expose a hundred square miles of lake bottom, especially at the deltas. That will affect salinity and the welfare of the wildlife. It will also reduce the lure of the Salton Sea as a major recreational area, and create pollution with increased dust and particles, creating a human health impact.

Buford Crites of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments added that 95 percent of California's wetlands are now gone. The Salton Sea remains as one of the few areas in which thousands of species can thrive. He said potential solutions must be evaluated thoroughly to know their effect on the sea and water usage. He added that-desert residents must learn that water conservation is a necessity and that landscaping must not try to make the desert look like Massachusetts-or Hawaii. Tom Kirk of the Salton Sea Authority said the sea is not dead or dying, but has problems that must be addressed to keep it healthy. He says its level is rising, but so is its salinity. Any major changes in inflow will affect the sea quickly, he said, adding that the problem won't be solved by quick "fixes" from the legislatures. It is one that needs careful consideration.