Location

Logan, UT

Start Date

3-25-2026 1:15 PM

Description

Main Points 

  • Levels of GSL inherently fluctuate because of variability in precipitation and temperature that drive inflow and evaporation 
  • Reductions in inflows due to water use are superimposed on this variability 
  • Consistent delivery of conserved water offers the opportunity to shift the range of lake levels upwards reducing the occurrence of serious adverse effects and increasing the potential for healthy lake levels 
  • Adding 250 thousand-acre ft/year reduces the occurrence of serious adverse effects from 61% to 28% over the long term 
  • Adding 800 thousand-acre ft/year shifts the mean of variable lake levels to the lower end of the healthy lake level range 
  • These results quantify the sensitivity of long term GSL variability to inflows and provide a foundation for policies aimed at returning GSL to a healthy condition 

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Mar 25th, 1:15 PM

Water Needs and Recovery Pathways for the Great Salt Lake

Logan, UT

Main Points 

  • Levels of GSL inherently fluctuate because of variability in precipitation and temperature that drive inflow and evaporation 
  • Reductions in inflows due to water use are superimposed on this variability 
  • Consistent delivery of conserved water offers the opportunity to shift the range of lake levels upwards reducing the occurrence of serious adverse effects and increasing the potential for healthy lake levels 
  • Adding 250 thousand-acre ft/year reduces the occurrence of serious adverse effects from 61% to 28% over the long term 
  • Adding 800 thousand-acre ft/year shifts the mean of variable lake levels to the lower end of the healthy lake level range 
  • These results quantify the sensitivity of long term GSL variability to inflows and provide a foundation for policies aimed at returning GSL to a healthy condition