Ecological transitions at the Salton Sea: Past, present and future

The condition of the Salton Sea, California's largest lake, has profound implications for people and wildlife both near far. Colorado River irrigation water supported agricultural productivity in basin's Coachella Imperial valleys since Sea formed over 100 years ago, bringing billions dollars per year to region helping feed households across United States. runoff, which drains into historically maintained levels critical fish migratory bird habitats. However, 2018, a large portion previously allocated agriculture been diverted urban regions, causing shrink become increasingly saline. This poses major threats Sea's ecology, as well risks human health, most notably noxious dust produced by drying lakebed. To ensure continued ecological protect public management surrounding wetlands will require increased research mitigation efforts.