Species Conservation Habitat (SCH)
Project Overview
Basics
Species Conservation Habitat (SCH)
Implementation
The approximately 4,100-acre project will provide critical habitat for birds and fish and improve air quality at the Salton Sea. Located at the southern end of the Sea, the SCH includes aquatic habitat ponds, berms, habitat features, water conveyance structures, and mixing and sedimentation basins. When completed, the SCH will provide feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for birds and fish, particularly fish-eating birds whose habitat is deteriorating quickly as the Sea recedes and
becomes saltier. The salinity level will be managed at a range between 20 to 40 ppt. The SCH will also improve air quality by covering exposed lakebed with water.
becomes saltier. The salinity level will be managed at a range between 20 to 40 ppt. The SCH will also improve air quality by covering exposed lakebed with water.
2011
2020
2025
3/28/2025
Project Attributes
Purpose & Goals
Purpose & Goals
This aquatic habitat project will provide feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for birds and fish including habitat for the endangered desert pupfish.
Schedule Status
Design
Complete
Land & Water Rights
Complete
Environmental
75% Complete
Construction
75% Complete
Notes about Status
None
Location
Organizations
Contacts
Melinda Dorin - California Department of Water Resources (DWR) (Melinda.Dorin@water.ca.gov)
| Contact | |
|---|---|
| Additional Contact |
|
Activities & Outcomes
Expected Activities & Outcomes
| Dust Suppression Acres Counted Towards SWRCB WR 2017-0134 Target | Type: Interim Dust Suppression | 500 acres |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Acres Counted Towards SWRCB WR 2017-0134 Target | 4,100 acres | |
| Public Amenities & Recreation Access | Amenity Type: Public viewing areas | 1 |
Reported Activities & Outcomes
| Dust Suppression Acres Counted Towards SWRCB WR 2017-0134 Target | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Total | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Units |
| Interim Dust Suppression | 500 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 500 | acres |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Acres Counted Towards SWRCB WR 2017-0134 Target | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Units | |
| 347 | 180 | 130 | 15 | 22 | N/A | acres | |
| Total | 347 | 180 | 130 | 15 | 22 | 0 | acres |
| Converted Acres | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Converted From | Total | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Units |
| Interim Dust Suppression | 30 | N/A | 30 | N/A | N/A | N/A | acres |
| Endangered & Special Status Species Habitat | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Units | |
| 28 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 28 | N/A | acres | |
| Total | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | acres |
| Surface Roughening Conducted | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Units | |
| 500 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 500 | acres | |
| Total | 500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 500 | acres |
| Aquatic Habitat Created | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat Type | Total | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Units |
| Shallow water habitat | 310 | 180 | 130 | N/A | N/A | N/A | acres |
| Drain interception ditch | 37 | N/A | N/A | 15 | 22 | N/A | acres |
| Total | 347 | 180 | 130 | 15 | 22 | 0 | acres |
| No accomplishments to report for: | |
| Year(s): | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Explanation: | Nothing to report at this time |
Program Phases
Program Phases
Benefits
Benefits
Endangered Species
Endangered Species
Habitat Types
Habitat Types
Project Details
Attachments
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No attachments
No attachments
No attachments
Notes
No Notes entered.
External Links
No External Links entered.