Graded, but never used, Railroad bed

USA / California / Bombay Beach /
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Prior to 1905, the Southern Pacific Railroad laid its tracks across the dry Salton Sink, passing fairly close to the New Liverpool Salt works located near the bottom of the sink. In 1905, however, the Colorado River changed course into the Alamo Canal, and began refilling the Salton Sink, creating the Salton Sea. As the Salton Sea rose, it threatened to inundate the Southern Pacific tracks. Hence, the railroad had to move its tracks to higher ground, which the Southern Pacific did five times as the lake rose. The Southern Pacific was preparing to move its tracks once again, and graded this path in preparation. Fortunately, in February of 1907, the flow into the Alamo Canal was finally controlled, and the river turned south to the Sea of Cortez.
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Coordinates:   33°24'24"N   115°45'51"W
This article was last modified 11 years ago