It is declared a Protected Natural Area, with the character of Biosphere Reserve, the area known as Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta, located in the waters of the Gulf of California and the Municipalities of Mexicali in the State of Baja California; Peņasco Port and San Luis Colorado River in the State of Sonora. The area is made up of a polygon corresponding to the buffer zone, within which there is a core zone called Colorado River Delta. These areas are considered fragile and sensitive environmental systems, for which reason the general public must abide by the provisions of the respective Management Program and the provisions contained in the decree published on june 10th, 1993 in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
Natural Protected Area for the conservation of biodiversity with International Designation: RAMSAR site with registration numbers 1822, 1866 and 814; World Heritage in the year 2005; MaB in the year 1995.