Imperial Wildlife Area

Name:Imperial Wildlife Area and the Wister Unit

Location: East side of the Salton Sea on Hwy 111, 5 miles NW from Niland. (760) 359-0577

Comments: 7,929 acres which include salt marshes, freshwater ponds and desert scrub. In 1905 the Colorado River broke through an irrigation project and created the Salton Sea. This sea is saltier than the ocean. Levees and canals form terraces between seasonally flooded ponds and fields. There are also roads throughout the area. Abundant waterfowl and shorebirds can be found here. Also found here is the endangered desert pupfish. Summer days can reach temperatures to 120 degrees. Knowledge of desert survival recommended.