On the shore of the Salton Sea lies Southern California’s hidden arts scene

Starting in the 1960s, the terminal lake (meaning it has no outlet) faced rising salinity levels, pollution from irrigation wastewater and chronic incremental flooding. Nearby towns were affected when property values and recreation revenue dropped. These factors, combined with the 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement, a rural-to-urban water transfer that caused the lake to shrink rapidly, have led to severe environmental concerns. According to Audubon, the ecosystem is on the brink of collapse, which would devastate the approximately 400 bird species that nest there. Nevertheless, there is some hope: Various entities, such as the Salton Sea Authority and the California Natural Resources Agency, are working on mitigation efforts.