Has the Great Salt Lake ever been this low?

The lake level fell to the lowest surface elevation ever recorded, 4,188 feet above sea level, in November 2022. The crisis is real.



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Water experts say it's going to take more than one big year to fill the Great Salt Lake. SALT LAKE CITY — Ever since The Great Salt Lake hit its lowest water level on record in November 2022, concerns over things like arsenic in the exposed lake bed have only grown.

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According to a recent study by Brigham Young University, it's possible that Great Salt Lake could dry up completely in the next five years. Drought has plagued the western United States for decades and has left significant consequences.

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However, the most deleterious effect of the Great Salt Lake drying up is that the air surrounding Salt Lake City could sporadically become poisonous. Since the bed of the Great Salt Lake holds high levels of dangerous particles like arsenic, antimony, copper, zirconium, and various heavy metals.

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New analysis says Great Salt Lake can be saved, but not without great effort, and expense.

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According to a recent study by Brigham Young University, it's possible that Great Salt Lake could dry up completely in the next five years.

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The precipitous drop in water levels, which has shrunk the Great Salt Lake's footprint by half over the past few decades, stems from a two-fold problem: Climate change has helped decimate the mountain streams that feed the lake, while demand for the streams' fresh water has ballooned for new development, agriculture ...

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The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and the eighth-largest terminal lake in the world. It lies in the northern part of the U.S. state of Utah and has a substantial impact upon the local climate, particularly through lake-effect snow.



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A recent report found that the lake could essentially disappear within five years. As a key stopover for migrating birds, the lake's loss could undermine whole ecosystems.

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So just how bad is it, really? A new scientific report warns the lake is on track to disappear in the next five years, unless water use is cut by as much as 50% annually.

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Set a lake elevation range goal. Invest in conservation. Invest in water monitoring and modeling. Develop a holistic water management plan.

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At its lowest, the lake's water surface elevation measured at 4,188.2 feet in November 2022. On Tuesday, a large crane lifted around 50 boats into the marina, which is seeing rebounding levels of water, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

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Climate change isn't only causing wildfires and massive heat waves, but it's drying up vital bodies of water such as the Great Salt Lake bordering the Salt Lake Valley.

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Currently, about 40 percent of the river water is diverted and used for farming, industry and other forms of human consumption. According to Wurtsbaugh, human water use has lowered the lake level 11 feet (3.3 meters) in the last 10 years.

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The Great Salt Lake is home to many important biological and wildlife species, from archaea, to bacteria, to phytoplankton (400+ species). Perhaps the three most apparent species that can be seen with the naked eye are brine shrimp (tons), brine flies (billions) and birds (millions).

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Swimming in the Great Salt Lake is a One-of-a-Kind Experience. We loved the unique experience of swimming in the biggest body of water west of the Mississippi. There are so few Salt Lakes in the world, so its unique to say you have swam in a salt lake.

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