We Don't Got You Babe

The Salton Sea is an emblem of the Anthropocene.  Accidentally created by humans it is only maintained as a byproduct of the runoff from our irrigated agriculture.  Once a playground for the rich and famous it is now heavily polluted and largely desolate.  And yet it has become a very important link in the habitat chain used by migrating birds.  However, the end of the Salton Sea may be near as California suffers under a prolonged drought and demand for a dwindling supply of water increases.  Check out this brief info-graphic rich story from the LA times.

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-g-drought-drawdowns-and-death-of-the-salton-sea-20141021-htmlstory.html

For a longer, more comprehensive treatment of this peculiar part of America, check out Imperial by William T. Vollmann.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/books/review/Downes-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0