Salt Creek Area

Map Satellite

Salt Creek, which in its lower reaches is joined by several seep and spring-fed tributaries, is the only permanent natural stream flowing into the Salton Sea from the east. A kilometer (0.6 mile) from its outlet into the sea the creek has cut a steep-sided canyon 25 to 30 meters (82 to 100 feet) deep through the recent alluvial and lacustrine deposits. Above this gorge the area supports a typical desert wash association. Moderately spaced palo verde, Cercidium floridum, mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana, and smoke tree, Psorothamnus spinosus, are the more conspicuous plants. Here, too, is the type locality for the rare sage, Salvia greatae, whose closest related form occurs in Death Valley.

There are four groves of the fan palm, Washingtonia filifera, in the area.

Several small freshwater marshes occur here, with bulrush, Scirpus sp., and cattail, Typha sp.

As a result of the permanent water supplies there is an abundance of animal life. Among the species observed here are vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus, prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus, black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis, clapper rail, Railus longirostris, and the desert pupfish, Cyprinodon macularius.

At the southern end of the area are the Bat Cave Buttes where various species of bats have been recorded. The wash is characterized by generally coarse sand, with occasional large rocks. Traces of the shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuila are found here.

Integrity: A power line, mining railroad and several jeep trails traverse the area, and there are ranch buildings by the northern boundary.

Use: Educational, research, observational.

August 1982