Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Zatalounge

Zatalounge is a chat forum provided for those who wish to present their personal views, opinions, or insights on all sorts of topics. Everyone has an opinion and they don't always agree. This website seeks to promote differences of opinion and discussions among users so that everyone gets to have their say.

Become a registered member or be our guest. It's your choice!


Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Interesting Article On The Death Of The Salton Sea
Topic Started: Jul 22 2017, 05:25 PM (72 Views)
Tybee
Member Avatar

Many more images at the link below.

Posted Image

The shores of California’s Salton Sea were once filled with resorts and vacationers. That is, until Tropical Storm Kathleen flooded parts of the region in 1976, playing a partial role in clearing out the resort town.

“Tropical storms that impact the southwestern United States from the eastern Pacific typically bring a threat of heavy rain and flooding,” according to Weather.com meteorologist Christopher Dolce. “Although Kathleen did produce a wind gust up to 76 mph in Yuma, Ariz., its flooding rains were devastating for portions of Southern California.”

After Kathleen increased the level of the Salton Sea, the Imperial Valley had above average rainfall for the next seven years. The rainfall, along with increased agricultural runoff and increased flows from Mexico, caused flooding of the shoreline resorts. Photographer and founder of Abandoned U.S.A., Kris Arnold, traveled to the Salton Sea to take pictures of the worn-down pieces of what used to remain.

“From a distance the sea is quite beautiful. The water shimmers a deep blue and you get the impression of soft white sand beaches. As you get closer the site changes quite quickly,” Arnold explained to Weather.com. “The white sand is actually coarse piles of fish bones. Dead tilapia litter the beach. The deep-blue water turns a blood red as you begin to look down on it. I was told this is caused by out-of-control red algae growing in the sea.”

Arnold became interested in the Salton Sea years ago, while doing research. “Like so many other places,” the photographer said, “it had its rise to glory and eventually went bust.”

The Salton Sea was formed in 1905 after an irrigation canal burst, moving water from the Colorado River to the Salton Basin, according to NASA. The basin, located 227 feet below sea level, continued to flood. In the 70 or so years that the Salton Sea was a resort, weather continued to take a toll.

Today sea levels have stabilized due to an increase in evaporation, but both wildlife and people are in short supply there. Run-off from California’s southeastern valleys enriched the water with phosphates and nitrates, which increased the area’s plant and algae growth. With that came a decrease oxygen in the water, killing large numbers of fish. Increased salinity had a similar effect.

The few people who today reside in the mostly abandoned surrounding towns live completely off the grid, according to Arnold, with no running water or electricity.

Arnold traveled to Bombay Beach, Salton City, Slab City and East Jesus where most of the buildings are merely frames.

The images featured in the slideshow above show what happens when towns are left to the elements. To see more of Arnold’s work visit his website, Abandoned U.S.A.

https://weather.com/sports-recreation/boat-beach/news/beach-resort-town-left-rot-photos-20130808
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Guest
Unregistered

As I mentioned before, I live 25 minutes or so from Salton Sea. I've been there 7 or 8 times.

Yes, from a distance, the glistening shimmer from the water is beautiful. But up close, it is like Mad Max, end of the world scenarios, catastrophic occurrence. If you can get past the smell, death and decay, it is truly an interesting study.

If the water is allowed to totally dry up, this catastrophe will send poison and very toxic desert dust up the Coachella valley into Riverside County and into the Los Angeles basin by the strong winds.....lickity split.

Not good.

Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tybee
Member Avatar

Is the state trying to do anything to save it?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Guest
Unregistered

Yes, they realize the seriousness of the toxic dust. In summary, two solutions are buying water from the Colorado River or piping salt water from the Sea of Cortez. Other solutions are to dredge a canal around the Salton sea to contain the water and capture the poisoned dust.

Of course, as are all government projects, I'll be dead by the time remedial action happens. The good news is that the Feds and the State have allocated huge funds to study and correct the problem.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Guest
Unregistered

Guest
Jul 22 2017, 06:38 PM
As I mentioned before, I live 25 minutes or so from Salton Sea. I've been there 7 or 8 times.

Yes, from a distance, the glistening shimmer from the water is beautiful. But up close, it is like Mad Max, end of the world scenarios, catastrophic occurrence. If you can get past the smell, death and decay, it is truly an interesting study.

If the water is allowed to totally dry up, this catastrophe will send poison and very toxic desert dust up the Coachella valley into Riverside County and into the Los Angeles basin by the strong winds.....lickity split.

Not good.

Off topic.


Can I ask you how you like living out in the PS area? I want to retire there but I wasn't sure about the heat and money? The last few years in LA have been so hot I thought I couldn't handle being out where you are. Plus, has the cost of living increased in PS area? I know air conditioning prices are high. Thanks.






Back to the thread. All my photographer friends absolutely love the SS.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Guest
Unregistered

Hi!

I live in La Quinta, about an hour and 15 minutes from PS. Land of gated communities and old people and quiet.

The heat is oppressive Jun Jul Aug so most folks go away or make frequent trips to San Diego etc.

The rest of the year is quite mild and I really like the proximity via car, to LA, SF, LV, OR, Mexico.

PS would provide a more active social life. Activities, festivals, restaurants, music.

Cost of living is about on par with any town. Utilities, food, gas.

I didn't pick this place but due to a real estate deal gone horribly bad, here I am. And I like it.

Ask any other specifics you'd like. :love

Quote Post Goto Top
 
Erna
Member Avatar

When we lived in LA and were making lots of money we always found it depressing to have to venture east or south.

But the money was good so we went!

Sadly, we could not afford to live there today.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
DealsFor.me - The best sales, coupons, and discounts for you
« Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic »
Add Reply