Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Yes, the U.S. has numerous saline lakes—bodies of water with no outlet, where evaporation concentrates dissolved minerals. They range from vast inland seas to modest desert pools, each with unique chemistry and ecology.
The Western Hemisphere's largest saltwater lake (~4,400 km² average, highly variable). Divided by a railroad causeway into a saltier north arm (Gunnison Bay, ~30% salinity) and fresher south arm (Gilbert Bay, ~5–15%). Supports brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) harvest, migratory birds (millions of eared grebes, phalaropes, avocets), and a $1.3B mineral extraction industry. Threatened by water diversions—lake hit record low in 2022.
Accidental lake: formed 1905–1907 when Colorado River breached irrigation canals. Now California's largest lake (~970 km²), sustained by agricultural runoff. Salinity ~60 g/L (nearly 2× ocean). Critical Pacific Flyway stopover (400+ bird species). But shrinking—exposed playa emits toxic dust (pesticides, heavy metals), creating a public health crisis. Restoration efforts underway.
Ancient (>760,000 years), alkaline, tufa-towered lake east of Sierra Nevada. Salinity ~90 g/L (3× ocean), pH ~9.8. No fish; trillions of brine shrimp and alkali flies feed millions of migratory birds (California gulls, phalaropes). Famous 1994 California Supreme Court ruling (Public Trust Doctrine) limited L.A. water diversions, saving the lake from ecological collapse. A conservation landmark.
Reservoir on Colorado River (Glen Canyon Dam). Not naturally saline, but increasing salinity from evaporation and upstream agricultural return flows (~500–1,000 mg/L TDS). Stratified; merit inclusion for scale and management complexity.
Once a 280 km² saline lake; dried completely after 1913 L.A. Aqueduct diversions. Became the nation's worst dust pollution source. Partial re-flooding (shallow brine pools) and vegetation mitigation now control dust—largest dust control project in U.S.
Intermittent dry lake bed near Mexicali border. Occasionally fills from Colorado River flood flows or monsoons. High salinity when wet.
Alkaline, hypersaline lake in Lake County. Critical shorebird habitat (Wilson's phalarope, eared grebe). No fish; brine shrimp/alkali flies. Water levels declining due to irrigation diversions and drought.
Saline lakes are disproportionately important for migratory birds (phalaropes, grebes, gulls, shorebirds) and unique extremophile ecosystems. They're also early warning systems: because they lack outlets, they integrate watershed-scale hydrologic change. When a saline lake shrinks, the basin is crying for help.