USA – Situated in the heart of Utah, the Great Salt Lake is a beloved body of water, but it is facing a severe ecological crisis. With climate change and water diversion, this lake is quickly shrinking, which has devastating consequences.
The Great Salt Lake once covered an impressive 5957 m², but now it only covers one-third of that. The lake has been subject to a cycle of periods of low and high water levels, but this cycle has been abruptly altered in recent years due to water diversion and climate change. 70% of the water that would flow into the lake is used for agricultural purposes and the remaining 30% is used for industrial mineral extraction.
This alteration has caused the lake to dry up, leaving a barren landscape of exposed soil. Unfortunately, this soil is contaminated with toxic heavy metals, including arsenic. The wind picks up this dust and spreads it across the Wasatch Front, putting the health of 2.5 million people at risk.
The lake is also home to many species of animals, including brine shrimp and migratory shorebirds. These animals are struggling due to the lack of food and the contaminated environment. The lake is in danger of disappearing within the next five years unless water use is substantially reduced.
To help mitigate the crisis, Utah Senator and former GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney have co-sponsored a bill that allocates $25 million to monitor the lake. There is also an effort to reduce the dust by using gravel, brush, and water to tamp it down. This process is extremely expensive, costing 2.5 billion dollars to date.
The Great Salt Lake is an integral part of Utah’s landscape and home to many species of animals and humans. If we don’t take drastic measures to protect it, it is in danger of disappearing in the next five years. We must act now to protect this valuable resource.