Plagued Waters of the Imperial Valley | California's Salton Sea

Introducing the symbolic west coast state, the most populous in the country! In order to enter a geographically and culturally massive American region, there are many destinations that serve as terrific doorways to the state of California. However, it's much more fun to debut with a rather unconventional first step into the Coverage Project's 44th state, so through the swelteringly hot deserts we continue. The Salton Sea is a fascinating case study of the disastrous effects which could unfold when humans get a little too involved in disrupting the natural order of the environment. Rooted in a centuries-old pattern of river diversion, the Imperial Valley had been continuously inundated with water, and dried up after a length of time. As the Americans used the oasis of freshwater as a source for commercial-sized irrigation and modern-day pleasures and over a period of decades, hazardous amounts of toxic substances permeated into the sea and its salinity level rose to such a degree, that the water became no longer favorable (or even safe) for visitors to enjoy. Up-and-coming resort communities plummeted into obscurity and sea life still struggles with the ecological effects of the manmade changes. Lest it someday gets cleaned up of its impurities, may this site always act as a reminder to the people of our era, that despite our quest to be the masters of our natural domain, toppling the intricate balance which nature's mechanisms have set up for us ultimately dooms our natural surroundings to a fate of disappointing degradation and a state of abandonment! All in all, an interesting first endeavor in the Golden State to an off-the-radar location is a win for us.

Location Covered: California's Salton Sea ✅

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[retirementbootcampoff-grid]

Thanks for taking us on a visit to the Sea! Deserves our respect, and a better future. ❤️

[stinkybuddydog]

The Salton Sea looks amazing! Thank you for the video! I live in S.W. Virginia, I'm so tired of the cold! I'd love to live in S. California for the climate not the politics.

[mojo.adventures]

Enjoyed this video, nice job👍YouTube just recommended your channel. We do a little coverage of the water and reclamation out west here and I'm working on a video about the Salton Sea. The situation is fascinating to me, it's really been coming to a head. The local residents and farmers want the sea refilled, the area revitalized, and the toxic dust controlled. Big mining corps, fueled by the green energy push, want to evaporate the lake and harvest the lithium rich clay. Either way it doesn't seem like the Colorado River will be able to support these ventures. It will be interesting to watch this play out!

[windfall]

I visited the Salton Sea area a couple weeks ago....California's largest lake. Hyper saline. Abandoned homes, resorts and a seashore that commences hundreds of feet away from any boat dock or wharf. In some places a smell that sets you back on your heels. Ironically, this area is surrounded by some of California's most intensive agricultural belts....Interestingly, its salvation may arrive in the form of lithium deposits in the area. Warren Buffet is spearheading a new lithium extraction process that is quite a bit more environmentally responsible than large evaporation pans or mines. Some believe that the Salton Sea will by itself be capable of supplying the US with all the lithium it needs. As I travelled through Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California, I was struck by the eye-watering price difference of fuel and accommodation and food in California. As well as its coastline decommissioned nuclear plants.

[chowderbreadbowl]

Welcome to California. One of the most beautiful and exquisite states you’ll ever be so lucky to enter. 25 minutes of scorn is a lot of emphasis placed on a rapidly drying lake bed. You just missed the biennale— yes Bombay beach has a wonderful annual international art show.well but you saw foam. Ok. Don’t look at anything super cool there, it might send you over the edge.

[nufosmatic]

0:50 - He fails to mention the smell - smells like the bottom of the inside of a dumpster...