Record Water Levels Prompt Opening of Control Gates at Major Natural Freshwater Lake: ‘Our Reservoirs Are Full’

“Our reservoirs are full,” says Wade Tuft, underlining the importance of this momentous event.

At only 16 feet deep, the lake’s area changes drastically depending on its water level. At its height in 1980, Great Salt Lake spanned 3.300 square miles.

While Great Salt Lake doesn’t have any outlets, because of the warm temperatures in northern Utah, it experiences significant water loss through evaporation.

Northern Utah sees very little rainfall, which substantially inhibits the amount of water in nearby rivers. Additionally. the many farms in the area use nearly 63% of the water that would otherwise flow from the rivers into the lake.

Environmentalists and local authorities were terrified of the lake’s future. In fact, they said in January 2023 that without a “dramatic increase” in water flow, the lake would be gone within just five years.

This necessary release helped to soften the blow of the relentless drought that’s been squeezing the lake and the region dry.

NPR and WBUR’s Here & Now pointed out this worrying trend, shedding light on how falling water levels are reshaping the area’s natural habitats and the lives that depend on them.

“It’s a sign of the potential end of the Great Salt Lake,” laments Frankel, criticizing Utah’s lackluster crisis response.

This newly airborne threat carries far-reaching health risks, infiltrating nearby communities and muddying the air they breathe.

This floodgate operation, triggered by an impressive snowpack last year, is truly a lifeline for the thirsty Great Salt Lake.

The U.S. Drought Monitor notes a significant break in the drought with this new moisture, offering some respite from the dry spell that had 90% of Utah in a tight grip of severe drought conditions.

These cooler temperatures have given local water resources a much-needed break from the unrelenting drought, easing immediate concerns.

This statement highlights the vital role that local communities play in sustainable water management.

“In terms of impact, it’s not going to be huge, but every little bit helps at this point,” Tuft candidly shared with KSL News. It’s a small but significant step towards recovery.

Therefore, in January 2024, a strategy to bring the Great Salt Lake back to healthier levels was unveiled. 

However, the solution for keeping the lake alive means declaring a state of emergency and implementing substantial conservation methods for nearby farms and residents; a huge and daunting task.

The average temperature in Utah has increased by more than 2.5° F since the start of the 20th century. And over the past 50 years, Utah’s temperatures have risen at twice the rate of the global average.

While there are many side effects of climate change, one of the most potent is that warming air temperatures have led to extreme drought. And Utah, a state which already struggled with drought, is being affected more than others.

However, drought may be the simplest consequence to understand: Warmer air temperatures increase evaporation, which reduces surface water and dries up the world’s natural bodies of water.

However, the unfortunate truth is that, without more substantial changes, it’s unlikely that the lake will be available to future generations.

They include drastically reducing the country’s fossil fuel use and consequent greenhouse gas emissions and utilizing green energy sources instead.

From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden Administration is doing its best to reduce the nation’s fossil fuel use and increase green energy sources within the next decade.

For now, even with the water from Utah Lake, Great Salt Lake is still in danger of disappearing if conversation methods aren’t implemented as soon as possible.

These numbers are certinaly encouraging; however, experts report that during the hot summer months most of this water will evaporate. And Great Salt Lake will be almost empty again by the Fall.