SSMP e-Newsletter — April

SSMP Project Update

Water is Now Filling a Major Aquatic Restoration Project at the Salton Sea!

As we continue to expand the largest restoration project at the Salton Sea, the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project, this month marks a critical milestone: for the first time, water is flowing into the first pond (“East Pond”) of the project! The East Pond is now receiving mixture of Salton Sea and New River water. Once the East Pond is filled by the end of May, water will be directed into the next pond at the project (“East Pond 1 Expansion Pond”). Together, these ponds will provide about 2,000 acres of habitat restoration – a little over three square miles. This achievement marks an important step towards meeting the goals to improve conditions at 29,800 acres of aquatic and dust suppression projects around the Salton Sea.

An excavator breaching a berm to allow water to move from the sedimentation basin to the east pond — *Picture taken on April 2. Looking east of the New River Diversion Structure, a berm was breached to allow water to flow by gravity from the east sedimentation basin into the east pond.*

Satellite image of the SCH footprint as water begins to move into the east pond.

Satellite image of the SCH footprint as water continues to fill the east pond. More water is now covering the east pond — *Satelite Imagery of the SCH Project as the East Pond is being filled with water. Pictures taken April 9 and 21.*

Implementation of the SCH Project was initiated in 2021. With the East Pond 1 Expansion, the project footprint has now expanded to cover nearly 5,000 acres at the south end of the Sea. Further expansion on the Center and West Ponds is envisioned, to add an additional 4,500 acres to the project — raising the total SCH footprint to over 9,000 acres. The SCH Project aims to restore deep and shallow water habitats lost as a result of the Salton Sea’s increasing salinity and recession, while providing an important dust suppression benefit to surrounding communities at the south end of the Sea.

SSMP Engagement Opportunities

JOIN US TODAY!
Community Meeting on the 2025 SSMP Annual Report

The SSMP team is hosting an in-person meeting and a virtual Zoom meeting on its 2025 Annual Report. Join us at one of the upcoming community meetings to learn more about what’s happening at Salton Sea

Receive an overview of the recently released 2025 SSMP Annual Report, learn about the restoration projects at the Sea and current planning efforts, and meet with members of the State’s Salton Sea team to ask questions and provide feedback.

Spanish interpretation will be provided. Habrá interpretación al español.

All community members are welcome!

Wednesday, April 30 at 5:30 pm, in person.
West Shores Community Center,
3389 Sea View Avenue, Thermal, CA 92274

Thursday, May 1, at 12:00 pm Virtual Meeting on Zoom
bit.ly/SSMP2025meeting
or dial: +1 (669) 444-9171

Imperial Valley Salton Sea Conference Set for May 9

SSMP partners, Los Amigos de la Comunidad and the Pacific Institute are bringing a full-day conference at Imperial Valley College. This event is being offered for free for participants to hear more about community and public health; the Colorado River and Water; an update on the 2025 SSMP Annual Report; and an update on lithium.

Friday, May 9, in-person Imperial Valley College 380 E Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251

Visit www.losamigosdelacomunidad.com for more information

Event flyer for Salton Sea conference with registration QR Code

REMINDER: Annual Salton Sea Workshop by the State Water Board

The annual report and the status of the SSMP will be the focus of an all-day public workshop convened by the State Water Board on May 21, 2025.

The State Water Resources Control Board will hold its annual workshop on the status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program on May 21, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to ~6:00 p.m. The one-day workshop will be hosted at the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board Room 87-225 Church Street, Thermal, CA 92274, and a virtual participation option through Zoom. Public comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Spanish interpretation will be provided as well as materials translated into Spanish. Additional meeting information will be uploaded as it becomes available on the Water Board Salton Sea page at waterboards.ca.gov/saltonsea/.