Great Salt Lake rising, but water conservation remains a must

SALT LAKE CITY — The Great Salt Lake has risen 3 feet thanks to all the rain and snowstorms that continue to hit the state.

The Utah Division of Water Resources reported that the Great Salt Lake rose 3 feet in the last five months. For comparison, the lake only rose 1 foot in all of 2022.

A look from the sky at #GreatSaltLake last week. The lake has risen 3 feet since its historic low in Nov. As a comparison, Great Salt Lake barely rose 1 foot all of last year. You can see lake levels — & the work happening to protect the lake — by visiting https://t.co/t8YtNq1g4f pic.twitter.com/fuo6h4Q5i7

— Utah Division of Water Resources (@utahwaterres) April 5, 2023

 

Public Information Officer for the Division of Water Resources Michael Sanchez said that the increase is thanks to “Mother Nature, as well as some structural modifications to the causeway firm.”

Sanchez said the extra 3 feet have brought about some big changes.

“I’ve seen some pictures, there is some water in the marina. And that wasn’t the fact back in October, November of last year.”

And, the Division of Water Resources hopes the lake will rise even more this spring. Sanchez said we’re set to have a good start to the spring runoff.

While the 3 feet are a good start, Sanchez said we can’t let our guard down, especially since Utah is an arid state.

“We really need to conserve for the dry years, especially when we’re in the wet years,” Sanchez said.

For tips and tricks on how to conserve water this year, Sanchez encouraged people to visit the state’s Slow the Flow website. And in preparation for flooding season, the state also has a website full of resources.

Related:

• Good news for the Great Salt Lake, Utah’s snowpack now 201% of normal
• Putting the wraps on the winter season, welcoming warmer weather
• Dickson: Why we’re grumpy about snow after December