The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Full screen
Salton Sea
Imperial County, California · 204,000 acres (318 sq mi)
73°F water, level steady, windy Friday (25 mph SSW).
About Salton Sea
Salton Sea spreads over 204,000 acres in Imperial County, California. It is California's largest lake by surface area, formed accidentally in 1905 when the Colorado River breached an irrigation canal.
From end to end it runs about 30.4 miles and its shoreline adds up to about 116 miles. It reaches about 43 ft at its deepest. Desert Shores is right by the lake. Indio, the nearest city, is about 16 miles northwest.
- Size
- 204,000 acres (318 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 43 ft
- Shoreline
- About 116 miles
- End to end
- About 30.4 miles
- Type
- Salt lake
- County
- Imperial County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Fair
- 5:30 am – 7:45 am bestsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 3:00 pm – 4:15 pmsunset, moon overhead · wind 25 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:00 am – 7:45 amsunrise · wind 10 mph
- 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 0 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
The water is too salty or too shallow for the usual game fish, so this is a lake to visit for the views, the birds and the shore, not for a fishing day.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
Steady over 7 days.
Latest reading .
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:12 am · sunset 4:41 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Salton Sea
- Desert Shoreson the shore
- Oasisabout 1.3 mi northwest
- Salton Cityabout 1.6 mi west
- Meccaabout 3 mi northwest
- Indionearest city, about 16 mi northwest
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Questions about Salton Sea
How deep is Salton Sea?
About 43 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Salton Sea?
204,000 acres, with about 116 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Salton Sea?
Desert Shores is on the shore; Oasis is about 1.3 miles northwest.
What is the water temperature at Salton Sea today?
The surface was about 73°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Salton Sea on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
