Wilson's Phalarope, a Migratory Bird, Depends on the Declining Great Salt Lake

Authors

• William Christenson
• Kendall Becker, Utah State UniversityFollow
• Spencer J. Good, Utah State UniversityFollow
• T.J. Clark-Wolf, Utah State University
• Scott Hotaling, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Factsheet

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

10-13-2026

First Page

1

Last Page

5

Abstract

This fact sheet describes how declining water levels and increasing salinity degrade habitat for brine flies and other prey Wilson’s phalaropes rely on. Because human use drives low water levels, changes to water management could reverse the lake’s decline and improve habitat quality for Wilson’s phalaropes and other species that depend on the Great Salt Lake.

Recommended Citation

Christenson, W., Becker, K., Good, S. J., Clark-Wolf, T. J., & Hotaling, S. (2026). Wilson's phalarope, a migratory bird, depends on the declining Great Salt Lake [Fact sheet]. Utah State University Extension.