Understanding the Problem

Due to climate change and increased water consumption, Great Salt Lake is shrinking. 2022 saw Great Salt Lake hit a record low elevation of 4,188.5 ft. Though only 11 ft below Great Salt Lake’s average elevation, this loss shrunk the lake’s surface area from 1,700 square miles to 800​. This desiccation puts the state of Utah and its citizens at risk.

Our team has spent over a year researching the different factors contributing to Great Salt Lake’s decline, stakeholders involved in solving the problem, and solutions that could help save it. We are currently writing a high-level summary of our understanding of these factors and the gaps where current efforts could be expanded. This paper will be published soon and accessible through this page.

The Beginner’s Guide to Great Salt Lake

While our paper will help readers establish a solid understanding of the problem and the current solutions in place to solve it, we encourage readers to dive in and discover more about Great Salt Lake on their own.

Here is a list of sources for learning more about Great Salt Lake. These sources represent the views of many of the stakeholders involved in solving the issue. Their purpose is to provide readers with beginner-friendly tools for deepening and expanding their knowledge about the issue and how to help solve it. Most of these sources contain information consistent with the State’s research across multiple departments and agencies. However, some of the sources contain estimates, assumptions, or beliefs that differ from those of the State; these are included in this resource bank in an effort to reduce bias surrounding the issue.

Using what they learn from these sources, readers will be well-equipped to make informed decisions about their water use moving forward. These decisions may span a range of actions, including making personal water use decisions, educating others about the issue, supporting new or existing water legislation, or supporting current advocacy efforts. Whatever the application of this knowledge may be, our hope as a team is that readers will feel confident in their ability to find the information needed to learn about and make educated decisions surrounding this issue.

Great Salt Lake Overview

Saving the lake starts with knowing about the lake - its background, its significance, and the problems it faces. Explore these sources to learn more about Great Salt Lake.

Current Solutions for Great Salt Lake

Efforts to increase and effectively manage Utah’s scarce water supply have been in progress for decades. However, since Great Salt Lake reached its historic low of 4,188.5 feet in 2022, those efforts have redoubled with special attention focused on restoring the lake. Explore these sources to learn more about those initiatives and their ongoing impact on both the state’s and the lake’s water supplies.

Understanding Utah Water Law

Utah’s dry climate has always created a pressing need for sound water management practices. The early pioneers responded to that need by establishing a system of “prior appropriation” water rights that has persisted to the present day. However, as today’s need for greater water conservation in Utah rapidly grows, that system has stepped into the spotlight of the issue along with all of its strengths and limitations. Explore these resources to learn more about the prior appropriation system, Utah water law, and how the State is working within this framework to bring water to Great Salt Lake.

Other Stakeholders in Great Salt Lake

Here is a list of companies and organizations that are deeply involved in the world of Utah water. They represent the myriad interests and priorities of the different groups working to save Great Salt Lake while ensuring a secure future for Utah water users. Explore their websites to learn more about their values, goals, and how they fit into the broader ecosystem of Great Salt Lake.

Get in touch.

If you have any questions about these resources or would like to meet with our team, please fill out this contact form and we will get back to you soon!