Inside The Inland Empire

Even as far back as the late 1970's and early 80's the "Stink tide" at the Salton Sea was a yearly event. Each summer millions of fish, mostly small to mid-sized tilapia die and wash up on shore - resulting in a very distinct and pungent aroma. This aroma, combined with the stifling heat and high humidity make summer vacations at the Salton Sea rather unpleasant. The reason for the mass fish die-off is due largely to the elevated water temperatures combined with the red-tide or algae blooms that suck all the oxygen from the water.

In 2006, the "hottest year on record", the stink-tide has already begun, a full two months ahead of schedule. As usual millions of small tilapia are dying and washing up on shore, providing plenty of food for the seagulls and the bird-sized horseflies, but also creating a nose-full for summer visitors.

This year the dead fish will be gathered up by a state-contractor and turned into fertilizer.
Thirty years ago, when I was at the Salton Sea virtually every weekend during summer, the fish-drifts would grown several inches in height and cover virtually every inch of the shoreline in many areas. By September, the blanket of fish meat would be a blanket of bones that stretched as far as the eye could see - and yet, my parents kept dragging me back each weekend..
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