The dwindling of the Colorado River, coupled with agricultural ditching and runoff in the Imperial Valley, has cast the Salton Sea as a cautionary tale of ecological neglect. Yet, beneath its desolation lies a fragile abundance. Desert Sponge envisions combining pumped energy storage for the geothermal industry with expanded natural infrastructure and wildlife habitat to restore the balance of ecosystems in the region.
Geothermal energy, a consistent output source, can risk overgeneration during certain times of day. By pumping water from the Salton Sea into large cisterns in the surrounding foothills and mountains, energy can be stored and regenerated while releasing water into restored wetlands and stream corridors. Lithium extraction from geothermal brine at the sea’s southern end further supports renewable energy goals.
Desert Sponge is inspired by natural porous and fractal forms like sea sponges, cracked earth, and leaf venation, and precedents such as Turenscape’s Sponge City projects. The project is defined by a modular system that integrates cisterns, desalination pools, and wetlands. Cisterns store 50% of the water for energy use, while the remaining water flows into domed desalination tanks where evaporation and gravitational settling remove contaminants. Treated water nourishes constructed wetlands, promoting native vegetation and filtering runoff.
Wetlands connect to managed stream corridors, sustaining hydrological cycles. Water seeping into the soil is not lost but purified, returning to the Salton Sea or the surrounding landscape. Housing for stewards and researchers supports this evolving ecological infrastructure while bolstering the renewable energy industry.
Three sites were selected for the project, with site selection prioritizing proximity to natural and cultural assets. The first site includes Dos Palmas Preserve, a haven for bird species and the endangered desert pupfish. The second site encompasses hot spring resorts and Bombay Beach, a hub of desert art and culture. The final site, near Salton Sea Beach and Desert Shores, engages existing communities to strengthen local economies and ecologies.
Visitors experience this landscape through hiking trails weaving between cisterns, exploring canyons, and observing streams winding through vibrant vegetation. Elevated gondolas minimize ground disturbance while connecting airy, multifunctional buildings that house research centers, residences, and markets.
By reimagining human relationships with water, energy, and land, Desert Sponge offers a visionary model of ecological infrastructure. This approach balances renewable energy with habitat restoration, charting a sustainable future for the Salton Sea and beyond.