The mere mention of the Salton Sea may be enough to conjure images of salt-encrusted, dilapidated buildings nestled alongside the rapidly decaying ecosystem of a saline lake.

However, Palomar College Television is currently producing a documentary to help educate people about the Salton Sea history, its downfall and its importance as an ecosystem.

“No one has really done a documentary quite like this before,” said Bill Wisneski, the producer and writer of the documentary and a member of PCTV. “Often they focus on the negative side to see out there. They frame it as an apocalyptic wasteland.”

The film, tentatively titled “Boiling Point”, is really the first comprehensive documentary on the Salton Sea, according to Wisneski.

The Salton Sea is a shallow, man-made salt lake located within California’s Colorado Desert. Its creation once fostered the growth of resort communities along its shore, but increasing salinity and fluctuating water levels have caused the Salton Sea’s various communities to fall into disrepair.

The Salton Sea is also home to a diverse range of avian species and is a major stopover point for bird species on the Pacific Flyway.

“We’re focusing on the beauty of the area but more importantly its ecological significance,” Wisneski said.

The 60-minute film is currently in its editing stage. It is expected to be completed in December and released early January nationally.

“It’s an exciting project that I think should bring a lot of recognition to Palomar,” he added.

The Palomar College Television department has also finished up production for an astronomy series, consisting of 101 videos each 15 minutes in length, which is available online at http://www.palomar.edu/pctv/.