A large lake , Lake Cahuilla , existed in the area from about 20,500 to 3,000 years ago and left evidence as wave cut benches on the higher portions of the Salton Buttes . A beach mark outlines the shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla where archeologists found rock fish traps and charred remains of razorback sucker and bonytail bones . High water lines suggest the basin has filled many times , creating a lake some 105 miles ( 170 km ) in length and nearly 300 feet ( 100 m ) deep . Its most recent incarnation is evidenced by fish traps found some 30 feet ( 10 m ) below the high-water mark that were estimated to be between 300 and 1,000 years old . In recent times , the 1862 Colorado River flood waters reached the Salton Sink , filling it and creating a lake some 60 miles ( 95 km ) long and 30 miles ( 50 km ) wide . In 1884 and 1891 the Colorado River had escapement flow into the Salton Sink . The 1891 flood created a lake that covered an area 30 miles ( 50 km ) long and 10 miles ( 15 km ) wide . A larger 1905 Colorado flood escaped into a diversion canal , forming the Alamo and New Rivers and creating the current Salton Sea in the sink 's Coachella Valley . A 1907 dam prevents flood escapements , but leakage still occurs to the Salton Sea
1862 Colorado River flood
Great Flood of 1862
Salton Sink