Great Salt Lake Lab
Caring for at-risk Utahns.
After recording and analyzing two centuries of data, experts conclude Great Salt Lake is drying up. We are reaching the cusp of the crisis, with the lake drying faster than ever. Our focus is on the ways the Drying of the Great Salt Lake affects Utahns, both now and in the future. By enacting new policies and promoting a change in culture, we can preserve a healthy lake, thereby contributing to cleaner air and healthier conditions for citizens of Utah.
The Problem
The first step to solving a problem is deeply understanding the problem. In June 2024, lab members Paige and Kelli shared their updates and research defining the problem and underlying root causes of the drying of Great Salt Lake in Utah.
The Problem
Great Salt Lake’s water levels have a major impact on the environment surrounding the lake. Because Great Salt Lake is a terminal lake, it depends on inflowing water to sustain its water levels and acts as the final outlet for water in the Great Salt Lake basin. This also means it is particularly vulnerable to evaporation. With Utah’s water consumption increasing, less water is getting to Great Salt Lake and the lake is decreasing in size. A lost Great Salt Lake means that a rich piece of Utah’s culture is lost. The ecosystems of hundreds of animal species are damaged. The economy suffers because the industries related to the lake decline. Worst of all, Utah could become a dangerous place to live. Pollutants underneath the lakebed would become exposed and contribute to Utah’s already significant air pollution. Among these pollutants are arsenic, lead and mercury. Those living in the Salt Lake area and across the Wasatch front could be exposed to these harmful chemicals and suffer the consequences of air pollution.
Welcome to Our Lab
Our quantitative goal as a team is to raise the lake back to 4200 ft surface elevation, with a salinity of 120-160 g/L (15-19%). Scientific research suggests these two quantities are the healthy ideal for the lake. As of June 2024, the lake is around 4,195 ft. Salinity level as of May 2024 has recently decreased to 115 g/L. The elevation of the lake correlates with salinity because more water evaporation means an increase in salt concentration. This goal will protect Utah, and its population, from the negative consequences mentioned above.
We have written research-based papers on the problems and solutions facing Great Salt Lake. It is a comprehensive study created to centralize all the information on the lake's conservation. It also includes a list of all stakeholders involved in Great Salt Lake’s health.
As a lab, we are working towards creating a legislative bill that encompasses nurturing the pain points that the lake faces. Our greatest hope is that we can bring together individuals from all sides of the issue and band together to pass legislation.
Meet the Team
Franz (Director): With extensive experience working with MIT and government organizations in disaster response, Franz provides strategic direction for our lab.
Paige Smith (Lab Lead): Paige is an Environmental Science and Sustainability student from Utah.
Kelli Rusnak (Lab Lead): Kelli is a Biodiversity and Conservation student from Indiana.
Alexis Grammer (Lab Assistant): Alexis is studying Public Relations and is from Ohio.
Hannah Hunt (Lab Assistant): Hannah studies English and is from Las Vegas.
Shelby Moss (Lab Assistant): Shelby is an Accounting student and is from Georgia.
Megan Wester (Lab Assistant): Megan is studying Public Relations and is from Georgia.
Hope for Great Salt Lake
Key Events
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We created logic models to project resources, outputs, outcomes, and impact of Grow the Flow initiatives. We began brainstorming class content for incoming students in the fall who will be participating. We attended the People's Great Salt Lake Summit and connected with other advocates for the lake. We learned more about the farmers' perspectives and efforts, the effects of the lake on mental and physical health, policy, environmental justice, and similar situations related to saving saline lakes.
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Continued to email people in different sectors and do secondary research. Reviewed Grow the Flow proposal from Ben Abbott to start to define our relationship to the other people on BYU campus working on this issue. Continued work on our systems map to make it more robust.
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Finished our ecosystem map to identify all the players related to the problem. We then began creating a systems map to narrow in on specific systemic relationships and how they all connect with each other. The goal is to identify gaps and opportunities to focus in on a specific issue.
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This week we set up ecosystem mapping and assigned sectors, conducted ecosystem research, created a presentation to show at lead meeting, and conducted more interviews and meetings with directors.
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We established the team, set expectations, and met with other team leads and mentors to set up the project.