In the past 25 years, the Salton Sea, the state's most polluted inland lake, has lost a third of its water. According to recent studies, the Colorado River's flow is declining, which is the cause of that decrease.

The quantity of salt and chemicals in the remaining water has rapidly grown as the lake dries up, which has led to a mass extinction of fish and birds, including endangered species.

The salty, toxic water that covers the dry lakebed turns it into dust, which causes breathing issues for the locals.

There are several theories as to why the water levels are steadily dropping.

Some attribute the lake's drying up to climate change and heat.

Some people think that agriculture might be to blame.

Less water enters the Salton Sea as irrigation systems become more effective and crops are designed to require less water.

These, according to the researchers, are not the principal factors contributing to the sea's decline.