Saline lake, southeastern California, U.S. The area that is now the lake was a salt-covered sink or depression about 280 ft (85 m) below sea level until 190506, when diversion controls on the Colorado River broke below the California-Mexico border and floodwaters rushed north, filling the depression.
In 1907 a line of protective levees was built to prevent further deepening of the depression. The lake has an area of 344 sq mi (890 sq km). Its surface is now about 235 ft (72 m) below sea level, and its salinity is similar to that of seawater. Part of a state recreation area, it has swimming, boating, and camping facilities.