The New and Alamo Rivers acquire nutrients and heavy metals from sewage; nutrients, silt, selenium and pesticides from agricultural drainage. The concern is that the pollutants carried by the New River is increasing the degradation of the Salton Sea. In early 1997, a concerned local organization, Desert Wildlife Unlimited, looked for a solution for the New River pollution problem. This group has worked with local, state and federal agencies to obtain grant monies, permits and has constructed two wetlands.

Project Results

The purpose of the pilot Wetlands system is to implement pollution control to reduce pollutants and improve quality of water discharged from the New River into Salton Sea. The Imperial and Brawley wetlands provide the following benefits: • Reduction of pollutants • Habitat for a wealth of plants, fish,wildlife and migrating waterfowl • Recreational benefits such as: hunting / fishing; bird watching; hiking and family outings