The Salton Sea

 The ‘accidental’ Salton Sea, near Palm Springs, California, is a fascinating place. Looking south into the Sea, it disappears over the horizon, even though it’s in the middle of the desert. Once it was promoted as a playground for the Hollywood set, with resorts, hotels and yacht clubs; today, it’s a toxic mess, rimmed with failed urban projects and abandoned boat launches.

The discovery of lithium beneath the (very shallow) Salton Sea may help pay for its rehabilitation. Or not: hubris was one of the reasons the Sea formed, in 1905. Here’s a recent Desert Sun story. And a story from The Californian, calling The Salton Sea the worst lake you’ve never heard of. All is not lost, apparently: the government in action.

 Salton Sea Q&A : What is the future of the Salton Sea?

The future of the Salton Sea remains uncertain and is dependent on various factors, including political, economic, and environmental considerations. Over the past several decades, the lake has shrunk due to agricultural runoff and decreased inflows, leading to increased salinity and a decline in the number of fish and birds that depend on the lake for their survival. The lake also produces harmful dust storms that can cause respiratory and other health problems for people living nearby.

To address these problems, various plans have been proposed to restore the lake, including infilling with fresh water, constructing wetlands to reduce dust storms, and building desalination plants to treat the water for irrigation and other uses. However, these plans are expensive, and it remains to be seen whether the necessary funding and political will will be secured to implement them.

In addition, climate change could also impact the future of the Salton Sea. Rising temperatures and declining precipitation could cause the lake to shrink even further, leading to increased salinity and other environmental problems.

Overall, the future of the Salton Sea remains uncertain, and it will likely require a concerted effort from the local, state, and federal government, as well as the private sector and local communities, to address the challenges facing the lake and ensure its long-term viability.

Note: The Q&A above comes from OpenChat AI. See the AI article elsewhere in TomNewsLetter.