Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge

The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is located in California’s Imperial Valley, 40 miles north of the Mexican border at the southern end of the Salton Sea. Because of its southern latitude, elevation of 227 feet below sea level, and location in the Sonoran Desert, the Refuge sees some of the hottest temperatures in the nation. Daily temperatures from May to October exceed 100°F with temperatures of 116°-120°F recorded yearly. The Refuge has two separate managed units, 18 miles apart. Each unit contains wetland habitats, farm fields, and tree rows. The land of the Salton Sea Refuge is flat, except for Rock Hill, a small, inactive volcano, located near Refuge Headquarters. The Refuge is bordered by the Salton Sea on the north and farmlands on the east, south, and west.