Great Salt Lake, UT, Loses Two-Thirds of its Volume Since 1987

Ski resorts in Utah have long been hailed as having some of the best snow on Earth. Resorts such as Alta and Snowbird regularly see average annual snowfall totals north of 500 inches of light, dry snow. This is no coincidence, as these mammoth totals are largely thanks to a phenomenon known as the lake effect, in which cold air moving over a body of water picks up moisture from the lake’s surface. That moisture is then deposited in nearby mountains as light, fluffy snow—perfect for skiing and riding (or just skiing, in Alta’s case).

Resorts situated directly adjacent to the Great Salt Lake are major beneficiaries of lake-effect snowfall, which increases snow totals in the Cottonwood Canyons by roughly 10%, according to The Daily Mail. Without the Great Salt Lake’s contribution, many Utah resorts would see several fewer feet of snowfall each year. Worryingly, this contribution may now be in jeopardy.

As the population of Salt Lake City and the surrounding area continues to grow, more water is required to sustain the region. As a result, large volumes of water that would normally flow into the Great Salt Lake have been diverted to support housing and agriculture, steadily lowering lake levels, according to NASA. In recent years, the decline has been dramatic. The lake’s elevation is now nearly eight feet lower than it was just twelve years ago. Today, the Great Salt Lake has lost more than three-fifths of its surface area and holds only about a quarter of its natural volume. If these trends continue, scientists warn the lake could effectively cease to exist as soon as 2030.

The loss of the Great Salt Lake would have consequences far beyond the ski industry. Wildlife habitats would be put in serious peril, while air quality across Utah would deteriorate as exposed lakebed dust becomes airborne. To prevent this outcome, experts have called for a nearly 50% reduction in regional water consumption. Encouragingly, state lawmakers appear aware of the urgency; The Daily Mail  states that, “Utah leaders have pledged to restore the lake by 2034 under the GSL 2034 initiative”. Whether these efforts succeed may determine how long Utah’s famed snow remains worthy of its title.