California’s Salton Sea is a fertile oasis in the hostile desert of southeastern California, adopted by millions of birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway. The sea is plagued by a host of challenges, including a declining water supply, rising salinity, very high levels of nutrients that generate excessive algal growth and very low oxygen levels, and the general indifference of state and federal decision-makers.

Published in 1999, this report examines the history and condition of the lake, the threats to the region, and possible solutions to protect its value. Its context and findings remain relevant to current rehabilitation efforts seeking to protect this critical ecosystem, as well as the health of surrounding communities affected by dust blowing from the sea’s exposed lakebed.

Webpage: Salton Sea

Webpage: Current Information on the Salton Sea

Hazard’s Toll: The Costs of Inaction at the Salton Sea

Hazard: The Future of the Salton Sea with No Restoration Project

Vision General Ejecutiva en Espanol (Executive Summary in Spanish)