I have looked at this shot almost daily for a long time. I have seen years when there was a lot of water during the winter and others when it was dry like it is now. I have not been able to determine if there is a relationship between flooding and the condition of the salt bed. I know that when warmer weather comes, that snow that you see on the mountain off in the background, will melt, and that water will make it to the salt flats.
Maybe someone else has some knowledge or observations.