Since January 2008, I have been working on a long term photographic project on the Salton Sea, located in the Imperial Valley, Southern California.
The first part of the project, "Trials and Tribulations of the Salton Sea" concerns itself with photographing the conservation efforts made at the Sea, the complex biodiversity, and the natural beauty in an effort to gain more support in the on-going attempts to get off the ground a viable restoration project (s). It strives to shake off the negativity that pervades most conversations regarding the Salton Sea.
There is a constant battle against the invasive salt cedar weed, the salted earth, and the fact that water enters into the Sea from the North and the South and from the agricultural run-offs, but has no outflow possibilities, meaning it evaporates, leaving the water levels to shrink more and more.
Secondly, most of the water that enters into the Salton Sea has been sold off to San Diego County, meaning that after 2018 the water levels will decline even more quickly. The salinity will increase, killing off the fish, which will effect the population of birds and other wildlife. It will lead to the exposure of the desert floor, currently covered by water, allowing dust storms to circulate up and down the Valley effecting the human population.
Wetlands have been created in the North and South end of the Sea to improve the quality of water inflow, to continue to provide a natural habitat for the numerous amounts of birds and wildlife and to help with conservation efforts. To have been able to create wetlands in this harsh climate is a testament to the dedication of the people involved in the Wetlands Projects.
People use the sea for recreational, artistic and research purposes. Fishing and boating used to be very popular in the heyday of the Salton Sea in the 50's and 60's, though the numbers have dropped drastically, visitors come from all over the world to continue to do so.
Birdwatchers come from all over to view the plethora of species that either pass along the Pacific Flyway or that are local to the area. Endangered species such as the Yuma Clapperail and the Brown Pelican can be found here.
The landscapes photographs emphasise the beauty, its diversity and uniqueness in order to promote a public interest in what the Sea has to offer.
The second part "Portraits of the the Salton Sea" focuses on the people that inhabit the space of the Salton Sea area, both long or short-term, as visitors, as scientists, farmers, employees, residents and so forth. I wanted to give a more personalized view and had thus taken portraits as well as conducted interviews on their visions, hopes and fears for the future of the Salton Sea.
This long-term project has largely been funded by the Desert Protective Council with great thanks.