The fish and bird population has been in continuous decline. The lake used to get enough freshwater replenishment to maintain a relatively balanced salinity le

The fish and bird population has been in continuous decline. The lake used to get enough freshwater replenishment to maintain a relatively balanced salinity level and saltwater ecosystem. Now, the salinity is continuously increasing over time. The most hearty specimens are able to survive and reproduce, but much of the wildlife has died out. Large amounts of biomass soak in the saline solution, becoming pickled fish and birds, adding to the scent that others have commented on. Collapse is not instantaneous. Nor is it all-encompassing. Even left unchecked for another 100 years, you would still find some forms of life present, but not the ones you see today.