What happens if the Great Salt Lake dries up?

If the Great Salt Lake dries up, the consequences would be severe and far-reaching, affecting not only the ecology and economy of Utah but also public health and the regional climate. The lake, located in northern Utah, is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and plays a critical role in supporting biodiversity, industry, and environmental balance. As water levels decline due to overconsumption, drought, and climate change, scientists warn of a looming environmental crisis.

1. Collapse of Ecosystems

The Great Salt Lake supports a unique and delicate ecosystem. Its hypersaline waters are home to billions of brine shrimp and brine flies, which in turn feed over 10 million migratory birds annually. Species such as the American avocet, eared grebe, Wilson’s phalarope, and even pelicans depend on the lake as a critical stopover in the Pacific Flyway. If the lake dries up, these food sources would vanish, leading to a collapse of bird populations and irreparable harm to North America’s migratory bird network.

2. Toxic Dust Storms

The lakebed contains high levels of arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals that have settled from natural sources and human activities over the decades. If the lake dries out further, these sediments will be exposed and become airborne with the region’s frequent winds. These toxic dust storms could pose serious respiratory and cardiovascular health risks to Utah residents, especially those in the Salt Lake Valley. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions would be particularly vulnerable.

3. Economic Fallout

Several industries depend on the lake’s existence. The $1.3 billion mineral extraction industry harvests salts and magnesium from its waters. Additionally, the lake supports a multimillion-dollar brine shrimp industry, supplying aquaculture farms around the world. The drying of the lake would devastate these sectors, causing job losses and economic decline in rural communities.

Recreation and tourism also stand to suffer. The Great Salt Lake and its surrounding wetlands attract birdwatchers, photographers, sailors, and tourists. As the shoreline recedes and unpleasant odors increase, the region could see a decline in visitors, further straining the local economy.

4. Disruption of Local Climate

The lake moderates northern Utah’s climate through what is known as the “lake effect,” enhancing snowfall in the Wasatch Range, which supports Utah’s ski industry and provides water for drinking and agriculture. A diminished lake would reduce snowpack and precipitation, worsening drought conditions and threatening water supplies across the region.

5. Water Rights and Political Tensions

As water levels drop, competition over water rights between agriculture, urban development, and conservation interests is intensifying. Farmers use a significant portion of the water from the lake’s tributaries, including the Bear, Weber, and Jordan Rivers. With less water reaching the lake, political tensions are expected to escalate over how to balance economic needs with environmental preservation.

6. Permanent Loss of a Natural Wonder

Finally, if the Great Salt Lake dries up completely, it would represent the loss of an irreplaceable natural feature—one of the last remaining remnants of the ancient Lake Bonneville. It would also symbolize a broader failure to protect natural resources in the face of growing human pressure and climate disruption.

In summary, the drying of the Great Salt Lake would not just be an ecological tragedy—it would trigger a public health crisis, economic downturn, and environmental collapse that could reverberate far beyond Utah. Without urgent and coordinated conservation efforts, including reducing water diversions and adapting to a changing climate, the region risks losing one of its most iconic and vital landscapes.