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Photos: The Salton Sea Dies

By Jeremy Lindenfeld

The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, is drying up. As it does, desert winds sweep toxic chemicals from the sea’s exposed lakebed into the ecosystem. This has resulted in poor health conditions like elevated asthma and COVID-19 mortality rates for Imperial County residents. Government failure to adequately respond to the environmental crisis has allowed the problem to continue for decades.


Photos of the Salton Sea.

Trees and shrubs grow out of parched earth near the Salton Sea. (September, 2021)

Photos of the Salton Sea.

The Salton Sea’s former shoreline, now a steep cliff drop off. (September, 2021)

Photos of the Salton Sea.

Three locals shoot their pellet guns toward the Salton Sea. (September, 2021)

Photos of the Salton Sea.

Birds sit in front of farmland in Imperial County. (September, 2021)

Photos of the Salton Sea.

The sun rises over what was once a tributary of the Salton Sea. (September, 2021)

Photos of the Salton Sea.

Carol Schoolcraft and Elaine Ragland stand in front of the Niland Inn. (September, 2021)

Photos of the Salton Sea.

A palm tree and shrubs grow near the Salton Sea. (September, 2021)

Photos of the Salton Sea.

Carol Schoolcraft sits inside the lobby of the Niland Inn. (September, 2021)

Photos of the Salton Sea.

Cesar Orozco’s feet sink into the exposed lakebed of the Salton Sea. (September, 2021)