How to save the Great Salt Lake?

Saving the Great Salt Lake is one of the most urgent environmental challenges facing the western United States. As water levels in the lake continue to fall due to water diversions, drought, and climate change, scientists and policymakers are calling for immediate and large-scale actions to prevent irreversible ecological, economic, and public health consequences. Preserving the lake requires a comprehensive strategy that balances human use with environmental sustainability. Here’s a detailed look at how the Great Salt Lake can be saved.

1. Reduce Water Diversions from Tributary Rivers

The Great Salt Lake depends on three major rivers—the Bear, Weber, and Jordan—for most of its freshwater inflow. Over 60% of this water is diverted before it reaches the lake, primarily for agriculture, municipal use, and industry.

Solutions:

i. Modernize irrigation systems: Upgrading outdated flood irrigation systems to efficient drip and sprinkler systems can significantly reduce water waste.

ii. Offer incentives for water conservation: Provide financial support to farmers who implement water-saving technologies or shift to less water-intensive crops.

iii. Implement stricter water diversion limits: Enforce policies that ensure a baseline flow of water into the lake.

2. Reform Water Rights and Management

Utah’s water laws currently reward use over conservation. The “use it or lose it” doctrine incentivizes water rights holders to consume their full allotment even when it’s unnecessary.

Solutions:

i. Reform legal frameworks: Amend water laws to allow water rights holders to lease, sell, or donate unused water for conservation without penalty.

ii. Create water banks: Establish voluntary programs that allow users to store or share water for lake restoration.

iii. Enhance data collection: Improve water-use monitoring to increase accountability and transparency in how water is managed.

3. Invest in Large-Scale Water Conservation Programs

Urban and residential water use also contributes to reduced inflows into the lake. While cities use less water than agriculture, their populations are growing rapidly.

Solutions:

i. Promote xeriscaping: Encourage landscaping with drought-tolerant plants to reduce outdoor water use.

ii. Offer rebates for water-efficient appliances: Incentivize homes and businesses to switch to low-flow toilets, faucets, and irrigation systems.

iii. Impose seasonal water restrictions: Regulate watering schedules during dry months to limit overuse.

4. Raise Public Awareness and Build Political Will

Public understanding and political commitment are critical to saving the Great Salt Lake. Many residents are unaware of the lake’s decline or its implications.

Solutions:

i. Educational campaigns: Launch statewide initiatives to inform the public about the lake’s importance and what actions individuals can take.

ii. Media and advocacy: Support organizations that are raising awareness through storytelling, social media, and community outreach.

iii. Engage stakeholders: Involve farmers, Indigenous communities, businesses, and environmental groups in crafting collaborative solutions.

5. Support Emergency Restoration Projects

In 2023, a coalition of scientists warned that the Great Salt Lake could disappear within five years if emergency steps are not taken. Temporary gains from snowpack cannot substitute for long-term action.

Solutions:

i. Build infrastructure to divert more water to the lake: Construct channels or gates to redirect high-flow periods toward the lake.

ii. Remove invasive plants: Clear phragmites and other water-consuming vegetation from wetlands to improve water flow and habitat health.

iii. Create artificial wetlands and buffer zones: These can store water temporarily and slowly release it to the lake.

6. Address Climate Change

The long-term health of the Great Salt Lake also depends on addressing the regional impacts of climate change, which is intensifying droughts and reducing snowpack.

Solutions:

i. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Support renewable energy development, public transit, and climate-friendly policies.

ii. Build climate resilience: Develop strategies that anticipate future conditions, such as variable inflows, and plan accordingly.

iii. Protect snowpack sources: Forest management and reforestation in the Wasatch Mountains can help retain snow and slow runoff.

Conclusion

Saving the Great Salt Lake is not a simple task—it requires an integrated approach involving policy reform, technological upgrades, public engagement, and ecological restoration. But the alternative—an ecological collapse, toxic dust storms, economic disruption, and the loss of a global natural treasure—is unacceptable. Through bold leadership and collective responsibility, the people of Utah and the broader region have an opportunity to preserve the lake for future generations.